Tim Ream may be just a few steps away from joining Bolton, according to an ESPN report. Bolton has reportedly placed a formal transfer offer for the New York Red Bulls and sometimes United States center back, in hopes of bringing him to the Premier League.
Bolton Has Reportedly Made Transfer Offer For Tim Ream
Tim Ream is reportedly all set to be transfered to Bolton, but how he’ll get a work permit is still a bit of a mystery.
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The transfer offer is supposedly in the $2.5 million to $3 million range, which would be the highest transfer for a MLS player since Jozy Altidore was sold to Villareal for $10 million in 2008 and would be one of the highest transfer fees in league history. A source close the negotiations is quoting as saying the two sides are not very far apart on accepting the deal.
What remains to be seen is if Ream could actually get a work permit to play in England. Generally speaking, a player must have appeared in 75 percent of his national team’s matches in order to be granted a permit or they must appeal for one. Ream is well short of that benchmark, almost no matter how you measure it. He played in 6 of 17 games during 2011 and has only played in two games since Jurgen Klinsmann took over. He also only played in 2 of 6 games during the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
For the latest MLS transfer rumors, be sure to follow this StoryStream. For more on Ream’s situation, be sure to check out Red Bulls blog Once a Metro.
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