Sporting Kansas City defender Erik Palmer-Brown has yet again been connected to Italian superclub Juventus FC, with a report claiming on Saturday that the Serie A side is close to securing the young talent's services in a transfer deal worth upwards of $1.2 million.
“Palmer-Brown and Juve are in the last stages of a negotiation that has gone on for months and months,” reported Italian journalist Alfredo Pedulla, stating that “the normal bureaucratic process” of MLS approval still lies ahead, with more information on the matter expected in the next 10 days.
“The operation is now set to the point that Palmer-Brown could land in Turin on December 9,” Pedulla added, “when Juve will play in the [UEFA] Champions League against Atletico Madrid.”
A 17-year-old US youth international signed by SKC to a Homegrown contract in August 2013, Palmer-Brown has been on Juve's radar for months, with Sporting manager Peter Vermes stating earlier this year that the club has rejected multiple offers from “The Old Lady.”
Palmer-Brown, a rangy prospect able to play both center back and fullback, made three league appearances (two starts) for SKC in 2014 as an injury crisis forced him into Vermes' squad ahead of schedule.
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He experienced a baptism by fire at the professional level, drawing two yellow cards and one ejection in 235 minutes of play. The Lee's Summit, Missouri product saw his season ended by a stress fracture in his right foot that required surgery in early October, but he is expected to play a central role in the US U-20 national team's qualifying campaign for the FIFA U-20 World Cup early next year.
Sporting officials poured cold water on Pedulla's report when contacted by MLSsoccer.com.
“EPB remains under contract with Sporting KC and is recovering from a season-ending injury,” said an SKC spokesperson.
