The Chicago Fire may not have missed out on one of their top offseason targets after all.
Several reports on Monday stated that Shaun Maloney has agreed to terms with the Fire, despite news that emerged last week that the Wigan forward had instead opted for a move to Leicester City.
UK-based journalist Pete O’Rourke tweeted Monday that Maloney had indeed signed with the Fire, followed by a tweet by Chicago Sun-Times writer Brian Sandalow that a deal was close but not final yet.
ESPN FC's Jeff Carlisle then reported Monday that a deal was done, with only details to iron out concerning whether he arrives in the summer on a free transfer or ahead of the 2015 season. Maloney is under contract with the Championship side until July.
Fire head coach Frank Yallop told the Fire Confidential podcast Saturday during the Chicago Annual General Meeting he was optimistic a deal would get done.
“In talks with Shaun, he wants to come to us,” Yallop said. “It’s just obviously Wigan have the player and they own him until July. We’re just trying to work something out. I feel we’ll get something done, whether it’s yes or no, in the next two or three days, so that’s what we’re trying to do.”
Maloney, formerly a longtime Celtic player who has also featured for Aston Villa and with Wigan since 2011, has been a target of the Fire all winter. He has also reportedly received interest from Everton, Aston Villa, Sunderland and Burnley.
