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Jack Harrison is on the verge of returning back to the Potteries to sign for Stoke City , the Sentinel understands.

Harrison has been making his name in Major League Soccer with New York City after the brave move to leave the Manchester United academy to continue his football education in the United States at the age of 14.

Now 21, he won a call up to England under-21s in October and his progress has been monitored by Stoke.

The Potters have stepped that up by putting in a bid for the forward, thought to be in the region of £3.25m. That could rise to more than £4m based on future clauses.

(Image: PA Wire/PA Images)

A deal could be completed this week as Paul Lambert reshapes his squad ahead of the January 31 deadline.

Harrison, who is scheduled to start pre-season training with New York tomorrow, remained coy when he was quizzed about reports in Los Angeles yesterday.

He told ESPN: “Nothing’s official yet so I’m still a New York City player right now and that’s where my mindset is at. As I said before, my agent deals with all that stuff, so I just leave it to him.

“I think everyone dreams of playing in the top leagues in Europe and the Premier League is obviously one of the best.

“Obviously growing up in England and everything it’s always been a dream of mine... but as of right now I’m still a New York City player. We’ll have to see what happens.”

Harrison’s dad John Giblin played up front for non-league clubs across North Staffordshire and now manages the Butchers Arms Sunday league team in Forsbrook.

Harrison grew up in Bolton with mum Debbie and switched to Berkshire School, Massachusetts, in 2010.

(Image: Brad Smith/International Sports Images)

He came to global attention when he became the number one pick in the MLS superdraft in 2016. That saw him named in the top 500 most important players on the planet by World Soccer magazine.

And at New York he has thrived under Patrick Vieira playing alongside team-mates including David Villa, Andrea Pirlo and Frank Lampard.

He has earned a reputation as a quick, hard-working wide man with a goal scoring knack.

New York have refused to comment on a possible transfer but sporting director Claudio Reyna told Goal: “Every league is a selling league, so why not us? It’s a statement of credibility to be honest.

“I know in some way we don’t want to lose our most talented players, but we’ll bring in other talented players.

“I think it’s really a statement of credibility for the league when you start attracting clubs from big leagues to come watch MLS games and the talent here.”