Just as patience began to wear thin amongst New York Red Bull fans for what has been a dormant offseason, the club’s name has finally made it’s way to the silly season dirt sheets.

First, it was Barcelona lifer Xavi connected with a move towards Harrison. Our inside report threw cold water on those claims. Next, it was Didier Drogba enjoying some dinner with Red Bull Director of Global Football Gerard Houllier grabbing the attention of fans stateside.

With the mandatory quota for star player rumors satisfied, some more down-to-Earth options have begun to spring up.

Here are a few names connected to New York:

——-

ARMANDO LOZANO

Sources tell EOS that New York are close to making some key signings. Could Lozano be one? Of the names linked to the Red Bulls, this one seems to be the most credible.

Diario Cordoba out of Spain reports Lozano has been offered a deal by the Red Bulls. The Spanish centerback, 29, is currently a bench player for Liga-B side Cordoba. According to the report, Lozano has presented the paperwork to his current club, where he is under contract through 2015.

In Lozano, the Red Bulls would get a player with size (6’1″) and versatility, able to man both the centerback and leftback positions. New York’s defensive depth is shallow ahead of this multi-front season, making the move beneficial for both player and club.

——-

RONALD VARGAS

Remember that attacking midfielder both head coach Mike Petke and Sporting Director Andy Roxburgh said they were after?

Could Vargas be that man?

The Venezuelan international, 27, is listed as an “attacking midfielder” — with the statistics to back it up. He scored 22 goals in 71 games in Belgium’s Club Brugge before heading to Anderlecht, earning 15 caps with the Vinotinto for his stellar play in the process.

His career has stalled, however, due to serious knee injuries. He missed six months with Brugge in 2011, rupturing a ligament in his knee. He would later suffer a similar strain in the same knee with Anderlecht, forcing him out for four more months.

He would be a gamble of a hire by New York, with plenty of upside if 100% healthy:

——-

MODOU SOWE

Rounding up the hot stove is a Harrison, New Jersey talent that has certainly been turning heads.

Gambian Modou Sowe, 18, was voted the Star-Ledger’s State Player of the Year. Standing 6’4″, the converted centerback has attracted much local attention, playing a steady defense while scoring goals in bunches (19 goals, 6 assists in 24 games). According to a Gambian report, Sowe is currently with the Red Bulls’ U-18 Academy team with eyes “to pen a professional contract.”

The former Harrison High School star is currently being sought after by Rutgers and Seton Hall, but is uncommitted as of this report.