AMSTERDAM – With the major European leagues set to board up their summer transfer windows, a handful of American exports are in play for a move as the deadline approaches.
We're here to set you up for the final two days of dealing with a quick recap of everything we know, some of what we've heard and many of the reports you read elsewhere.
JUAN AGUDELO
It's been a long wait to find a new club since the forward was denied a UK work permit on his second Stoke City try back in the spring.
Last loan employers FC Utrecht tried to keep him and would probably still take him back. Interest from the likes of Hannover 96 and Sporting Lisbon has come and gone. Talks with the likes of Mainz 05 have reportedly come and gone and come back this week. Even 2.Bundesliga strugglers 1860 Munich flirted with Agudelo recently.
Agudelo's transfer scene has been difficult to gauge the whole way, so there may well be suitors never outed, both past and present. Observers back in the States are just hoping his eventual destination was worth the wait.
GEOFF CAMERON
The US handyman has had all sorts of interest throughout the summer window, but Stoke City have refused to seriously discuss parting with him.
It started with European brand names like Anderlecht, PSV Eindhoven and Schalke, but they were easily priced out by Premier League sides Hull City, Southampton and Sunderland. Those three eagerly remain in the picture, and a European source told MLSsoccer.com that Lazio (originally outed as a winking admirer by NBC Sports) could get involved if they offload one of their non-European Union players.
As of midweek, none of the suitors had placed enough of an offer in front of Stoke to kick-start transfer talks. His injury in Wednesday's cup match probably did not end all overtures, but it certainly didn't increase the odds Cameron will pick up stakes by the deadline.
"We'll see what happens," Cameron told the Stoke Sentinel on Saturday. "There's speculation about this and that. I'm just going to keep doing my job."
JULIAN GREEN
Following the lead of Sky Sports News HD, various German outlets have Green heading out on loan to Hamburg for the entire season. Local daily Abendblatt reported on Saturday night that the Bayern Munich attack prodigy would arrive at HSV the following day for a medical exam to complete the move. The World Cup goal sensation's pop even went on Twitter to declare the deal done while the kid was watching Bayern's Saturday evening draw from the dugout.
As of yet, neither the clubs nor Green's agent have responded to MLSsoccer.com requests for confirmation.
DUANE HOLMES
The Huddersfield Town teen has gone out on loan to League Two promotion hunters Bury. He's shown flashes of brilliance for the Terriers, and will now aim to raise his fitness level with routine starts.
SACHA KLJESTAN
Chased by the likes of Genk, Greek champs Olympiacos and the LA Galaxy earlier in the summer, the Anderlecht midfielder has most recently been tenuously linked to four Serie A clubs by several Italian sports publications.
While alleged suitors Fiorentina, Sampdoria and Torino currently do not have an open space below the non-EU player limit, MLSsoccer.com has heard unconfirmed rumors out of Italy that Europa League participants Napoli did make introductory contact over Kljestan after missing out on injured Manchester United man Marouane Fellaini last week.
Though Kljestan enjoyed the best form of his career over the first half of last season, he has most often been relegated to the bench under new manager Besnik Hasi, who took the reins just as the US midfielder was returning from injury. With Belgium international Steven Defour captured from Porto this summer, the former Chivas USA star has been limited to two short sub appearances in Anderlecht's first five league matches.
BREK SHEA
MLSsoccer.com has confirmed via sources on both sides of the Atlantic that FC Utrecht have been in talks for the Stoke City winger, and not solely about a loan. Meanwhile, Fox Sports recently outed EPL rivals Southampton as a leading contender for his loan services.
The report also placed in the mix 2. Bundesliga outfit FC Nürnberg, along with Championship sides Birmingham and Millwall – who MLSsoccer.com can confirm made a bid for Shea when he agreed to the Barnsley stint last season. If he does not go out on loan by Monday night, as much as a three-month move to the English second flight remains an option.
As for the player, he enjoyed a fine Friday night under the lights with the Stoke reserves, playing a part in both goals from a 2-1 league win over visiting Derby County. Shea won the spot kick for their first and his penetration into the area on the dribble set the scene for the winner.
