Philadelphia star striker Sebastien Le Toux arrived in England on Wednesday ahead of a potential transfer to Bolton, United Kingdom-based sources told FOX Soccer Wednesday morning.
The Union are prepared to sell the 28-year-old French striker in a move that would allow Philadelphia to keep young attacker Danny Mwanga, around whom trade rumors have recently circulated. The move would also free the funds needed to replace the all-star Le Toux.
When the Philadelphia Union drafted a forward in the first round of the 2012 MLS Draft, it was believed they were preparing for the potential departure of Mwanga. Now, it turns out the team's marquee attacker is the one who will be leaving
The former Seattle Sounder began training with Bolton on Wednesday ahead of a transfer that could go through by the end of the week. If completed, the transfer would see Le Toux join fellow Major League Soccer all-star Tim Ream, who is awaiting a UK work permit to complete his own transfer to Bolton.
As the holder of a European Union passport, Le Toux would automatically qualify for a UK work permit, and could begin playing with Bolton immediately.
Le Toux has been the Union’s best player since the club began play in 2010 and has been one of the best attackers in MLS over the past two seasons. Since joining Philadelphia in its expansion season of 2010, Le Toux has generated 25 goals and 20 assists, leading the Union in both categories.
While replacing Le Toux’s production won’t be easy, the club does have a deep stable of forwards to pull, depth that includes Mwanga, US Under-23 striker Jack McInerney, first-round pick Chandler Hoffman and newly-acquired Costa Rican forward Josue Martinez.
