By IVES GALARCEP
The January transfer window has been a quiet one for Americans, but a major move for a top young American player is in the works.
English Premier League side Stoke City has made a $3 million offer for FC Dallas and U.S. National Team midfielder Brek Shea, sources confirmed to SBI this week. The bid, first report via Twitter by ESPN analyst Taylor Twellman, could make Shea the third American on the books at Stoke City, along with Geoff Cameron and Maurice Edu, who was recently sent on loan to Turkish side Bursaspor.
Twellman reported that a transfer agreement has been agreed to between Stoke and FC Dallas for an approximate fee of $3.5 million. Sources have told SBI that as of late Friday no agreement had been reached on a Shea move, and even the offer submitted by Stoke was contingent on Shea returning to training and proving that he’s healthy and recovered from off-season foot surgery.
UPDATE– Stoke City manager Tony Pulis confirmed on Saturday that Shea would be joining Stoke for a week-long training stint to test out his physical fitness ahead of a potential transfer. There are even suggestions Shea could feature on a closed-door scrimmage set up by Stoke to test him out.
Though no deal appears done yet, the relationship between Shea and FC Dallas doesn’t appear to be the healthiest one according to sources familiar with the situation. Dallas could be ready to unload Shea, but aren’t likely to just jump on the first offer made.
What do you think of this development? See Shea doing well at Stoke City? What do you think would be a fair transfer price for him?
Share your thoughts below.