Report: Italian Star Andrea Pirlo Accepts Offer To Join New York City FC

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- If it happens, New York City FC stands to have not just the top midfield unit in Major League Soccer, but perhaps one of the better ones in the world.

Speculation reached a fever pitch on Wednesday after a leading Spanish sports publication reported that Italian star Andrea Pirlo had reached an agreement to join NYCFC, presumably not long after his club team, Serie A's Juventus, plays its UEFA Champions League final against Barcelona in Berlin on Saturday.

According to the daily AS out of Madrid, Pirlo, who turned 36 on May 19, met with NYCFC CEO Ferran Soriano and later accepted an offer to join the MLS expansion club.

NYCFC was initially interested in adding Spanish star Xavi as one of its Designated Player signings, but the 35-year-old midfielder instead chose to sign with a club in Qatar. It was then that NYCFC turned its attention to Pirlo, one of the most celebrated players in the world, The Mirror reported.

The New York Post, however, downplayed the overseas reports, citing through sources that Pirlo coming to NYCFC is "speculation" and premature at this point.

When asked by WFAN's Glenn Crooks if the report was true, the team said, "We have no comments on any signings at this time."

Pirlo led Italy to the 2006 World Cup championship and has been a legendary figure in Serie A for 14 years, first with Milan and the last four with Juventus, which he led to the league championship every season.

A free-kick specialist and midfielder known for his unmatched playmaking, Pirlo has 113 appearances for the Italian national team, the fourth-most in that country's rich history.

If he comes to New York, Pirlo would join a midfield unit that already has the talented Mix Diskerud and will soon be adding English star Frank Lampard of Manchester City, NYCFC's parent club.

Last week a report out of England surfaced saying Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba had interest in playing for NYCFC now that his career with Premier League power Chelsea has come to an end.

NYCFC has struggled during its inaugural season, winning just one of its first 13 matches (1-7-5) and scoring a total of just 10 goals, this despite having Spanish star David Villa up front.