This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Major League Soccer's offseason hot stove appears to be heating up around Real Salt Lake.

Several reports circulating have linked RSL not only with a young attacking midfielder who came up in the Manchester City youth system, but with the greatest American soccer player ever in Landon Donovan. A report from FOX Sports Netherlands Thursday stated that RSL and FC Groningen in the Dutch Eredivisie league have agreed to terms on a transfer for 22-year-old Albert Rusnák.

The report said that the two sides have agreed on a transfer fee for the Slovakian midfielder, but added that the player has yet to sign off on the deal. The contract is reported to be anywhere from two-to-three years in length. Rusnák's contract at FC Groningen is said to have extended through the summer of 2018.

While RSL officials have yet to comment on Rusnák, league sources have confirmed that there is significant interest from within the organization on the player, but warned there is still a ways to go before a deal is finalized.

Rusnák fits the bill for what general manager Craig Waibel said he's been after this offseason: A young, dynamic attacking fit in the midfield to replace the loss of longtime linchpin Javier Morales. Earlier this offseason, Waibel told the Tribune RSL was scouting a player in the Netherlands, which is likely to have been Rusnák.

During 76 appearances with FC Groningen, Rusnák scored 12 goals. Despite developing in the Man City system, Rusnák spent much of his time on loan while with the English Premier League giants, including stops at Oldham Athletic, Birmingham City and SC Cambuur, also in the Netherlands.

If the reports out of the Netherlands are true and RSL is closing a deal for what is surely to be a Designated Player, it will have beaten out clubs such as Swansea City and Watford in England as well as Italian club AS Roma, all of which were rumored to be interested in the Slovakian attacker.

That is just one report of a pair that has RSL's fan base — not to mention a large portion of MLS fans — in a tizzy. On Wednesday night, a report on SoccerWire.com stated that RSL had held preliminary contract discussions with Donovan, the 34-year-old midfielder who stunned the league last season when he decided to come out of retirement and join his former club, the L.A. Galaxy, for the stretch run of 2016.

That news was followed by another report Thursday from a Sports Illustrated and American Sports Network writer who stated that RSL offered Donovan a two-year Designated Player deal. It appears Donovan, who classifies as a free agent in MLS, is in high demand, which should come as no surprise as other MLS clubs are reportedly in pursuit.

Waibel confirmed to the Tribune on Thursday that RSL had Donovan in town recently to gauge interest in possibly joining the club, but wouldn't comment on specific contract negotiations.

"We hosted him on a visit to show him our organization," Waibel said. "We're definitely interested."

Donovan, who turns 35 in March, could be a short-term solution as a wide forward in RSL's 4-3-3 formation. Former DP forward Burrito Martinez and RSL recently agreed to part ways as the Argentine attacker voiced his desire to return home due to family reasons.

RSL goalkeeper Nick Rimando posted a cryptic tweet Thursday afternoon showcasing emojis of the beach, mountains and a heart, likely an ode to Donovan potentially leaving the comfort of his Southern California lifestyle for the mountains of Utah.

Waibel and Donovan were teammates at one point with the San Jose Earthquakes in 2003 and 2004. Together they won the 2003 MLS Cup. Donovan grew up in the U.S. youth system with Rimando and RSL captain Kyle Beckerman. Prior to his retirement in 2014, Beckerman joked after training one day in late October regarding his longtime friend.

"I'm just hoping he gets a little Brett Favre syndrome and retires for a couple years and then comes back to Salt Lake and plays with us for la little bit," Beckerman said.

-Chris Kamrani

Twitter: @chriskamrani