St Johnstone’s Aaron Essel is set to move to MLS side FC Dallas, initially on loan, according to a report.
The 19-year-old utility player, who can play in defence and midfield, was signed by Craig Levein last summer but his game time has become lessened under Simo Valakari.
Dunfermline wanted Essel on loan in January but nothing came of it and they ended up taking his teammate, left-back Andre Raymond instead.
But the Ghanaian hasn’t featured in a squad since January 25, when he was an unused sub against Motherwell, and Dallas are set to put him out of his misery.
St Johnstone’s Aaron Essel set for FC Dallas
The Courier are reporting that Essel will sign for the MLS side on loan for nine months, but won’t be playing for their first team.
Instead, he will link up with their under-23s side as the Americans take a look at him.
It is claimed St Johnstone will have an option to recall him in July but that Dallas will also have an option to buy inserted in the deal, for six figures.
The Ghana under-23 international has played 19 times for Saints this season but hasn’t featured since being hooked at half-time against Rangers and doesn’t seem to feature in Valakari’s plans.
St Johnstone transfer dealings
Essel isn’t the only St Johnstone player who has been the subject of transfer interest beyond the UK transfer window closing.
Polish side Widzew Lodz tried to sign Benjamin Kimpioka on their own deadline day but it was always rated as one that was never likely to happen.
Kimpioka had already turned down three chances to leave in January after intimating he wouldn’t be signing a new deal at McDiarmid Park.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 7 |  Heart Of MidlothianHeart Of Midlothian | 29 | 10 | 6 | 13 | 41 | 40 | 1 | 36 |
| 8 |  Ross CountyRoss County | 29 | 9 | 8 | 12 | 31 | 49 | -18 | 35 |
| 9 |  St MirrenSt Mirren | 29 | 10 | 4 | 15 | 35 | 47 | -12 | 34 |
| 10 |  KilmarnockKilmarnock | 29 | 8 | 7 | 14 | 33 | 47 | -14 | 31 |
| 11 |  DundeeDundee | 29 | 7 | 7 | 15 | 41 | 61 | -20 | 28 |
| 12 |  St JohnstoneSt Johnstone | 29 | 7 | 4 | 18 | 32 | 54 | -22 | 25 |
The Swedish striker has been frozen out by Valakari and will move on for nothing in the summer when his contract is up.
Raymond signed on loan for Dunfermline at the end of February with lower league sides still able to sign players on loan from the top flight.
The left-back was another who had attracted permanent transfer interest with Russian side Arsenal Tula showing an interest.