Stoke City manager Mark Hughes has said that he does not know why Juan Agudelo was refused a work permit for his transfer from New England Revolution.
The 20-year-old signed a pre-contract with the Potters over the summer with his contract due to expire this winter, but the move was scrapped on Wednesday when an appeal panel turned down his request for a permit.
"My view is he was a very good young player with power, pace, everything and that would have made him an excellent Premier League player," The Mirror quotes the Welshman as saying.
"If he goes to a European league he would be a success too and enhance his value. If we wanted to bring him to Stoke in future he would cost us the best part of £10m.
"We thought we had a real case to bring in one of the most exciting talents in the US. I've dealt with work permit situations and it is often at the whim of the panel. The case which we presented to the panel was a strong one."
When pressed further on the issue of why he was refused a work permit, Hughes revealed that US national coach Jurgen Klinsmann was full of praise for the young striker.
"They may claim he is a young player who doesn't fit the criteria, but his international manager gave him a glowing report and explained he hadn't played as many internationals due to injury," added the 50-year-old.
"I just think we should be told why it was refused – that would help everyone."
Agudelo has scored two goals in 17 appearances for his country.
Michael Penkman
