Rumor: Kevin-Prince Boateng still linked to New York Red Bulls (and Galatasaray)

A few days ago, Gazzetta dello Sport reported Kevin-Prince Boateng was on his way out of Schalke 04, where things have not really worked out for him this season. It was suggested there were two primary suitors for the 28-year-old attacking player: Galatasaray and the New York Red Bulls.

A few days is a long time in soccer, and an especially long time for soccer's rumor mill. In the time between then and now, the suggestion Boateng might also be contemplating a move to China has been rejected by a pretty solid source: agent Edoardo Crnjar, who has an association with KPB.

Crnjar suggested his client was looking at either Serie A or MLS, which was a slight deviation from Gazzetta's report. But he did also reject China as an option, and Schalke's sporting director, Horst Heldt, reportedly confirmed there was no contact with Chinese clubs.

Now, a few days later still, GianlucaDiMarzio.com is reporting KPB will definitely be leaving Schalke and is considering two major options for his next move: Galatasaray and the New York Red Bulls. The report suggests meetings will take place imminently.

The KPB-to-RBNY rumor lives!

Per GianlucaDiMarzio.com, the Galatasaray offer is contingent on the Turkish club qualifying for next year's UEFA Champions League. RBNY is the only team named specifically from what are reportedly now several MLS clubs jostling for a word with KPB.

There is nothing in the latest report to address the issues raised the last time this rumor was floated: KPB is still under contract with Schalke until 2016, therefore still a candidate for a hefty transfer fee; he is still thought to be receiving something like $9 million per year from that contract.

Papa Red Bull can afford that sort of money, but he hasn't spent like that on RBNY recently. Indeed, if KPB's rumored salary is accurate, it represents something close to the combined wage Papa was paying Thierry Henry and Tim Cahill last season.

So there are plenty of reasons to be skeptical about this report. And one reason to pay it some heed: it won't go away. KPB is still said to be looking for a new club, and RBNY is still thought to be a serious candidate for his services.

Boateng, in the meantime, is still getting some opportunity to showcase his value. His most recent appearance for Schalke was a 30-minute cameo against Stuttgart on May 2, in which he got a lot of credit for helping his team come back from a goal down to win 3-2.

More to follow in due course, we are almost certain. OaM will keep you updated.