AMSTERDAM — We've headed into the final week of the summer silly season, which means the market action is heating up in Europe.
A few American Exports will get caught up in the madness overseas, while others are more likely to become mobile items in the winter market. The reports may fly fast and furious in the coming days, so we're here to give you a fully factual premise checkpoint on six potential buzz situations.
Michael Bradley
All packed to leave Borussia Mönchengladbach, the midfielder should seriously go into play during the final few days of the summer market — which just so happens, MLSsoccer.com has learned, to be when Roma are hoping to make their long-awaited move for a US international. Serie A foes Bologna and Napoli remain vaguely in the picture and the latest tabloids claim Chievo are now interested.
MLSsoccer.com has also learned that one Bundesliga club is waiting sneakily in the bushes to see if they can snare a late bargain. Though Werder Bremen made some calls at the start of summer, this current prowler is not them, nor is it fellow former admirer Hamburg.
Of course, in the final few days of the market, nearly everyone turns prowler, so this situation will probably get a little more crowded as September approaches.
Brek Shea
Let's be clear off the bat: The FC Dallas attack terror/artist will not be packing his boots and brushes before the summer window shuts. Unlike George John, he is currently set to finish the season in Frisco. And don’t forget that Shea signed a contract with the club through 2015 earlier this season.
That being said, sources in England and the Netherlands indicate that Fulham and PSV Eindhoven are among the (at least) four English and Dutch sides that have been keeping increasingly larger tabs on Mr. Shea's actions in recent weeks.
Brad Guzan
The Aston Villa backup netminder is into the final year of his deal and still has a few Championship admirers. It's also worth noting that Norwich are still scrambling for another goalkeeper. Guzan would love a starting job, but it's quite possible he'll remain at Villa Park until after the transfer deadline. If that happens, he could go out on another emergency loan, as with Hull City last season.
Jared Jeffrey
The Mainz 05 midfield prospect has some scattered loan interest. However, he has excelled out of the gate for the reserves and the club wants to keep him on campus for now. A winter loan remains possible.
Eric Lichaj
The US wing back has some eager Championship loan interest, but Aston Villa have thus far been turning a deaf ear to it all. Don't be at all surprised, though, if he's farmed out in September.
Lee Nguyen
The 24-year-old free agent attacker has a firm offer in Vietnam, as well as interest from MLS and the North Sea area of continental Europe.
Still, Nguyen will need to wait until he's completed recovery on broken bones around his ankle to sign anywhere. That means he has until winter to decide on a new club.
