USMNT striker Juan Agudelo has been spotted at Stoke City’s Britannia Stadium today, which is encouraging news that perhaps the MLS striker is close to securing a deal to The Potters pending work permit clearance.

The coincidence of Agudelo arriving in England combined with the fact that his name was included on the USMNT January training camp yesterday but then removed moments later by the US Soccer Federation, indicates that Agudelo is close to securing a deal to join a new club. The USMNT January training camp squad features players who are in their off season and currently not playing week-in week-out for their club teams.

Agudelo signed a pre-contract with Stoke City in August and wanted to join the club in the 2013 summer transfer window, but MLS reportedly didn’t want him to move until after the MLS season was over.

Agudelo’s work permit request was denied in November. However, it appears likely that Stoke City will try to secure a work permit for him again with the hope of finally landing the highly-touted American striker.

Stoke City are playing Leicester City today in the FA Cup Third Round.

H/T The Oatcake.