Reports on Thursday afternoon indicate that English Premier League side Blackburn Rovers have submitted a bid for the services of FC Dallas defender George John.
FoxSoccer.com originally broke the story that the offer for John is “considerable” and that it is being considered by the Western Conference champions.
FC Dallas was traveling home from Mexico on Thursday following a 1-0 CONCACAF Champions League victory over Pumas UNAM the night before and reserved comment. John played 90 minutes in the match.
While MLS’ international transfer window closed on August 14 for incoming players based in overseas leagues, outgoing transfers are still possible. The European transfer window, which impacts Blackburn, closes on August 31.
“We need at least one center-half, maybe two,” Blackburn manager Steve Kean told the Lancashire Telegraph on Thursday.
John, a Greek citizen who received an invitation to train with the Greek national team on their recent visit to the United States in early June, is also eligible to play for the US national team and was invited by Bob Bradley to participate in the January 2011 camp but was forced to decline because of ankle surgery.
The 24-year-old defender was born in Shoreline, Wash., and attended the University of Washington, where he featured primarily as a midfielder. FC Dallas made him the shock selection at No. 14 in the 2009 SuperDraft and converted him into a central defender. His partnership with Ugo Ihemelu in the heart of the Dallas back line has been credited as one of the major reasons for Dallas’ resurgence to Western Conference champions in 2010.
John’s contract with FC Dallas runs through the end of the 2012 season.
Blackburn, who suffered an opening day league home defeat to Wolves last weekend, transferred center back Phil Jones during the offseason. He featured for Manchester United on its recent US tour. John’s arrival would serve as a replacement for Jones on the back line and would see him paired up with former D.C. United captain Ryan Nelsen.
Jermaine Jones was the most recent American to have played at Blackburn on a loan deal for the last six months of the 2010-11 European season.
