D.C. United planning summer swoop for marquee striker

The MLS side is looking for a big name striker this summer with Carlos Tevez and Fernando Torres at the top of their wishlist

side is planning an ambitious summer swoop with talks set to take place over the potential signings of Carlos Tevez or Fernando Torres.

The franchise will be moving into the new 20,000-seat Audi Field on July 14 and plans to announce a marquee forward signing to take the club to the next level.

Mario Balotelli has been linked with United in recent weeks but Goal understands that experienced frontmen Tevez and Torres are also being looked at, with the latter attracting interest due to his forthcoming free-agent status this summer.

Tevez returned to Boca Juniors in January following a disappointing stint in with Shanghai Shenhua, while 34-year-old Torres has already declared his intentions to move onto pastures new when his contract expires in June.

United has lacked marquee signings in recent seasons, though the club did break its own transfer record with the signing of Paul Arriola for $3 million last summer.

The team has had one of the lower payrolls in the league but is now looking to add some big names to the squad, with Torres and Tevez identified as potential names to bring supporters to the new stadium.

United has lacked firepower up top in recent seasons as well, with Luciano Acosta and Patrick Mullins leading the team in goals last year with just five apiece.

United will show its ambition this summer with majority owner Erick Thoir selling his stake of the club to partner Jason Levien. According to Bloomberg, the club is valued at around $500 million (£352m) including the new $400m (£282m) stadium and the land surrounding it.