Mexico captain Rafael Marquez, who
has been strongly linked in the media with a move to New York Red
Bulls, has reached a deal with La Liga champions Barcelona that
releases him from his contract.
"Barcelona and the player Rafa Marquez have agreed to rescind,
by mutual consent, the contract that tied the two parties together
until June 30, 2012," Barca said.
If the deal with the Red Bulls goes through, Marquez would join
former Barca team mate Thierry Henry, the French striker who
this month moved to Major League Soccer after he was also freed
from his contract.
Marquez, 31, can operate as a centre back or defensive
midfielder and would be the Red Bulls' third "designated player",
whose wages are mostly exempt from the salary cap, along with Henry
and Colombian Juan Pablo Angel.
He joined Barca from French side Monaco in 2003 and has won four
Spanish league titles and two European Champions League crowns.