Stoke City boss Mark Hughes has slammed the UK work permit authorities after they were blocked from signing USA striker Juan Agudelo.
Hughes made no effort to conceal his frustration at the decision - and the panel's failure to issue any explanation for rejecting the 20 year-old striker's attempt to join Stoke on a free in January.
"No doubt somebody in Europe will pick him up," Hughes complained, "and he will be a sensation somewhere else, unfortunately.
"We are still in the market for other players as well. The focus hasn't all been on just one player.
"We are looking at all situations. Most clubs are looking at players not involved and most are open to a loan deal.
"Or we can bring them in permanently. We don't close the door on anything.
"We have been looking for another striker since the summer and that has been well documented. We continue to look in those areas."
