Ukrainian striker Andriy Shevchenko is interested in coming to Major League Soccer and the Fire say they'd be happy to consider his services.

Shevchenko announced his retirement this week following Ukraine's elimination from the Euro 2012 tournament by England.

"Andriy Shevchenko is a great player," Javier Leon, managing director of Andell Sports, said on Saturday in an email. "We've heard through MLS that he's interested in coming to the league. That would be something (for the Fire) to consider."

A report surfaced out of Italy late this week speculating that the Fire could offer Shevchenko up to $2 million.

Leon and other Fire officials were not available for further comment prior to Saturday's MLS match with Columbus.

Fire coach Frank Klopas said last week that he expects to sign a player once the summer transfer window opens on June 27. But Klopas offered no comment on any player he's targeting.

Shevchekno, 35, is Ukraine's all-time leading scorer with 48 goals in 111 appearances. He was European Footballer of the Year in 2004.

He began his career in 1994 with Dynamo Kiev, moved to AC Milan in 1999 and scored 127 goals in 226 appearances. He was loaned to Chelsea in 2006 and played in the English Premier League for three seasons. He also had a return engagement on loan to Milan in 2008-09.

In 2009, he rejoined Dynamo Kiev with a free transfer. Shevchenko is married to American model Kristen Pazik.

While speculation swirls around potential acquisitions, the Fire still had to take care of business against the visiting Crew on Saturday. Despite contract concerns, Sebastian Grazzini was among the scheduled starters as the Fire (6-5-3, 21 points) took on the Crew (5-4-4, 19 points) for the second time in a month.

Columbus beat the Fire 2-1 on May 26 on goals by Eddie Gaven and Emilio Renteria. The teams meet again on Sept. 22 at Toyota Park.