By IVES GALARCEP
The long and winding saga that has been Brek Shea’s inevitable departure to Europe has taken yet another strange turn as just days after it seemed he might not be heading anywhere during this transfer window now comes word that he is on the verge of a transfer move.
FC Dallas and Stoke City have agreed on a transfer deal for Brek Shea, pending a physical, sources confirmed to SBI on Monday night. Shea left for England on Monday evening and will head to Stoke, where he will undergo a physical that will provide the final hurdle to a transfer. The details of the transfer, and the fee, were unknown at this time, but what does look clear at this point is that, barring a failed physical, Shea will be joining Geoff Cameron at Stoke City.
The move had long been rumored (and first reported by ESPN TV analyst Taylor Twellman), and appeared to be dead after reports claimed MLS had stepped in and asked for too high a price for Shea, but sources tell SBI the transfer took a normal course of negotiation and has culminated with a transfer agreement being reached.
Stoke City made an initial $3 million offer for Shea, which FC Dallas countered with a price of more than $4 million. Stoke was initially hesitant to make a deal without seeing Shea train, but that stipulation fell by the wayside as negotiations went on for more than a week. Ultimately, Stoke City was given assurances of Shea’s health (sources tell SBI that Shea is close to being able to play) and now just a physical stands in the way of Shea completing a move that will likely be in the $3.5 million and $4 million range.
So is the move a good one for Shea? There will be concerns about the move because of the fact Maurice Edu received no playing time upon his move to the Potters, but Edu joined on a free very small transfer whereas Shea would be heading to Stoke for a multi-million dollar fee like Geoff Cameron, who has settled in well with the Potters since joining the club last summer.
What do you think of this development? See Stoke City being a good fit for Shea? Think FC Dallas can make the playoffs in 2013 without Shea?
Share your thoughts below.