Rumored New York Red Bulls target Kevin-Prince Boateng released by FC Schalke 04

Bundesliga club FC Schalke 04 announced in a brief release that Kevin-Prince Boateng and Sidney Sam have been released with "immediate effect."

Schalke sporting director Horst Heldt announced there would be consequences after Sunday’s defeat away to 1. FC Köln and the first action has been taken: Kevin-Prince Boateng and Sidney Sam have been released with immediate effect. Marco Höger is suspended from training and first-team action up to and including Saturday, 16th May.

Following a 2-0 loss to 1. FC Köln, Boateng (who had a "lackluster" performance) got into an altercation with and attempted to confront a fan before being calmed down by his teammates. Following the match, Schalke CEO Horst Heldt remarked, "I do not know if all our players are on the training ground in the next 14 days." It appears he was very serious in acting on his post-match comments and probably felt the need to make big changes considering his club has only won twice in its last 12 matches. To add insult to injury, the loss to Köln put Schalke in danger of missing out on qualification for the Europa League with Borussia Dortmund and Werder Bremen a mere two points behind in the standings.

Recently, Jesse Marsch (via Eric Giacometti) put the kibosh on a move for the Ghanaian midfielder to the New York Red Bulls stating, "I can just comment on the Kevin-Prince Boateng [rumor] and tell you that it isn't happening. There's obviously homework being done to try and evaluate what else is out there to try and help our player pool."

However, the New York Red Bulls did place a discovery claim on Kevin-Prince Boateng and now have the rights to sign him over the other MLS clubs. According to Kristian Dyer, "There has been some level of discussion on [Boateng] coming to the league and possibly signing a contract." It is unknown whether the Red Bulls secured a discovery claim to seriously pursue Boateng or to squat on the player's rights in hopes of another team trading $50,000 in allocation money in order to sign him.

What we do know is that there have been rumors that he was considering the Red Bulls, the Red Bulls claim no interest, and the player is now available as a free agent.

Boateng has 15 caps with the Ghana national team and has spent time with Tottenham, Milan, Portsmouth, Hertha BSC, and Genoa.