UPPER MONTCLAIR, N.J. – Red Bulls head coach Hans Backe has denied reports that Anders Svensson has been linked to a move to New York.
Reports surfaced in Swedish media outlets on Sunday that Backe had expressed an interest in the Swedish international. The midfielder is currently playing for IF Elfsborg in Sweden and holds 109 caps with the national team.
“It’s nothing for us,” Backe told MLSsoccer.com after training on Monday morning. “It is not true.”
Last week, Backe said he was targeting a right-sided, box-to-box midfielder to bring into the squad before the transfer deadline passed on Sunday. The deadline passed with no additions to the side. Backe said he had read the stories in the Swedish press on the day that they ran.
“I don’t know where that report came from,” Backe said. “I think that player would be a Designated Player in a way because of his stature.”
The Red Bulls currently hold the league maximum of three DPs, meaning they cannot add another.
Kristian R. Dyer can be reached for comment at KristianRDyer@yahoo.com and followed at twitter.com/kdyer1012
