...but, irrespective of the conflicting accounts from opposite sides of the Atlantic yesterday, the fact remains that the 31-year-old is now contemplating a career away from Anfield.
Fowler reiterated a desire to stay with Liverpool only last weekend when two penalties against Sheffield United took his tally for the season to seven goals. Rafael Benitez, the Liverpool manager, also admitted that the former England international remained the best finisher at the club, despite Fowler occupying only a bit-part role at Anfield.
The striker is out of contract this summer, however, and with no talks having taken place yet over extending his second spell with the club, plus Benitez signing the Ukrainian forward Andrei Voronin from Bayer Leverkusen on a free transfer for next season and in the market for at least one other striker, the increasing likelihood is that a prolific Liverpool career may soon be over.
"We'd be interested in Robbie but at the moment the first thing is the financial side," Nicol, a former Liverpool team-mate of Fowler's, confirmed yesterday. "We've spoken, but as of yet there's nothing been settled. It's something he's thinking about. He's getting his ducks in a row. Whether he gets a contract at Liverpool or whether he moves on, he's dipping his foot in the water."
Nicol, who has led the Revolution to the MLS Cup final in the past two seasons, is seeking to rebuild his squad following the sale of Clint Dempsey to Fulham in January, while the £250m contract David Beckham signed with LA Galaxy in the same month has created a false impression about the financial state of the American market.
Nicol explained: "We have some money available but the problem we have is that, because of the type of money David Beckham has got, a lot of people think everybody has that kind of money - which is not the case."
That verdict was supported by claims last night from Fowler's representative, George Scott, despite an insistence that his client had not discussed a move to the MLS.
"He has not had a conversation with Steve and I don't think they could afford him anyway," Scott said. "If he was to think about moving, Qatar or Dubai could be an option."