Ariel Ortega to FCD?

Argentine sports daily Olé is reporting that FC Dallas is making an offer to former Argentina World Cup midfielder (and current River Plate player) Ariel Ortega.  Olé links to this story on the Dallas Morning News website, but from reading the article it appears that Ortega is part of a group of players at River that John Ellinger will take a look at.   Ortega had fallen out of favor with Diego Simeone and the River Plate management, but relations are much better now and I doubt that they would let him go.  I would rate FCD's chances of signing him under 25 percent.

Even if they managed to get him, FC Dallas would be taking a gamble with Ariel Ortega, almost as big as the one they took when they signed Denilson.  Ortega has been one of the most gifted Argentine midfielders of his generation, and when he was at his best he was one of the best midfielders in the world, but his recurring problems with alcohol have started to take a toll on him.  Looking back, that fiasco of a transfer to Fenerbahce was the turning point of Ortega's career.  Dallas would serve as a change of scenery that could be beneficial to him, but the Hoops need to go into this decision with eyes wide open.

FC Dallas is also receiving offers from Steaua Bucharest for Juan Toja, and if he goes they would need to sign a midfielder and striker during the transfer period.

UPDATE: This article says that Ortega has ruled out a move.  And as I surmised yesterday, there's more to Ellinger's visit than just Ortega.