Major League Soccer officials refused to sign off on a tentative agreement between FC Dallas and Stoke City that would have seen 22-year-old Brek Shea move to the EnglishPremier League club for a reported $3.2 million. According to Sporting News, MLS, which owns all player contracts and takes one-third of all transfer fees, thinks the USA international isworth more.
On Tuesday, the British press reported that Shea, who is currently recovering from foot surgery, was on his way to Stoke for a one-week trial with a view toward signing beforethe transfer window closes next Thursday. However, MLS’ demand for more money looks to have quashed the move, as
This is not the first time MLS has intervened in a move involving Stoke and one of its clubs. Last summer, defenderGeoff Cameron’s transfer from Houston Dynamo to the Potters was held up for more than two weeks as the league negotiated a higher transfer fee. Cameron was eventually sold for$2.7 million, although the league wanted $3 million.