Juan Agudelo's quest for a new club has run into October, and the latest chatter has 2015 MLS expansion side New York City FC "angling for his services" according to a report from the Washington Post's Steven Goff.
Agudelo, the former New York Red Bulls Homegrown who also featured for Chivas USA and the New England Revolution before moving to Europe in January 2014, has been without a club since his second unsuccessful attempt to secure a UK work permit to play with Stoke City of the English Premier League in May. The Potters had originally brought him over before loaning him to FC Utrecht in the Netherlands after his first work permit rejection, and he netted three goals in 14 Eredivisie appearances.
However, a source with knowledge of the situation told MLSsoccer.com that Agudelo's continued absence in the club scene is due to the fact that he only wants to play in England. The Post report also said that Agudelo is "apparently seeking to acquire an EU passport by buying property in Cyprus."
An EU passport would allow Agudelo to bypass the work permit process and sign right away with an English club. He could also secure a work permit by appearing in 75% of the United States' competitive matches over the previous two years, but has only two USMNT appearances to his name in that time period, both in friendlies. Agudelo has appeared 17 times in total for the national team, scoring two goals.
If Agudelo does end up with NYCFC, however, he would add to a potent attacking corps that already boasts the services of David Villa, the all-time leading scorer for the Spanish national team, and EPL veteran midfielder Frank Lampard, both Designated Players.
It is not clear what player mechanism acquisition NYCFC would use to obtain Agudelo. He left New England on a free transfer and with a bona fide offer, meaning the Revolution would hold right of first refusal for the player.
