Report: D.C. United targeting Chile defensive midfielder Gary Medel

D.C. United is in dire need of midfield reinforcements and might look to a star man to shore up its ailing lineup as Steven Goff of the Washington Post reports the club has turned its attention to Internazionale's Gary Medel.

The 30-year-old Chilean international has moved ahead of former LA Galaxy enforcer Nigel De Jong on D.C. United's list of defensive midfield targets, though he has also been linked with Boca Juniors, Tigres, and Trabzonspor.

D.C. United might have an advantage in the fact that its owner, Erick Thohir, is also part-owner of Inter, while former club CEO Michael Williamson has also served in Inter's front office since 2014.

Still, the MLS side would have to pay a multi-million dollar transfer fee, according to Goff. He would also likely command the highest salary on D.C. United's roster.

The tenacious midfielder, affectionately known as "Pitbull," can also be deployed as a central defender.

Medel has 105 appearances for Chile and featured for the team as recently as the Confederations Cup in Russia earlier this summer.