AMSTERDAM – MLSsoccer.com has learned from multiple sources that a minor transfer deadline day saga involving Michael Parkhurst will end with the US international defender remaining at Augsburg, while also keeping hope that interested party Lazio will make him a winter target.
Parkhurst, 29, has recently been shopped around by Augsburg and was linked to an ultimately unsuccessful loan move to Brøndby in the Danish Superliga. Second Bundesliga suitors 1860 Munich gave up on acquiring the Parkhurst over the weekend, unable to afford the capture.
As for Lazio, sources indicated that the Serie A giants have been looking for both a defensive handyman with his particular qualities and an American to boast on the roster.
The club's leadership, however, are under board orders to make some deadline sales, forcing them to put the former New England Revolution star on the back-burner for now. Lazio plan to hold an introductory discussion about winter transfer window possibilities for Parkhurst after the summer window shuts on Monday.
Parkhurst is backing up club skipper Paul Verhaegh at right back for Augsberg, currently 10th in the Bundesliga through four games. Augsburg will break the international fast with a Sept. 14 date against guests Freiburg.
Parkhurst reported to US national team camp on Monday as a late replacement for injured Seattle Sounders midfielder/defender Brad Evans ahead of the team’s World Cup qualifiers on Sept. 6 and Sept. 10.
