The transfer window shut on Monday for Stoke City without a deal for USA striker Juan Agudelo.
The Sentinel says the 20-year-old American international will now arrive as planned on a free transfer in January.
New England Revolution and the MLS, which is involved with a selling club in all out-goings from the States, wanted a figure approaching the £3m mark to let Stoke have him now.
But Stoke considered that excessive as Agudelo only has three months left on his current contract.
Stoke are signing Agudelo for nothing because, unlike European and domestic transfers, there is no compensation to be paid for American free agents under the age of 24.
