This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Real Salt Lake appears to be closing in on its new attacking midfielder.

A report from Fox Sports Netherlands Wednesday stated that RSL finalized the transfer of 22-year-old Slovakian midfielder Albert Rusnák from Dutch club FC Groningen. On Tuesday, FC Groningen reported on its own website that the franchise and RSL had agreed to transfer terms and that all that left was for Rusnák's representatives and RSL to nail down personal terms.

That, according to the Fox Sports report, was completed Wednesday. Rusnák, it said, signed a three-year contract with an option for a fourth at RSL. The Slovakian international is reportedly bound for Utah and the United States Thursday to undergo a physical and later his player unveiling.

However, league sources informed the Tribune Wednesday afternoon that in order for the deal to become finalized, the contract still remains a few signatures away from completion.

RSL, through a team spokesman, declined comment.

In 76 appearances with FC Groningen, Rusnák scored 12 goals, including two in the KNVB Cup final last May. Before signing on with FC Groningen, Rusnák came up through the Manchester City youth program and later spent time on loan at Birmingham City and Oldham Athletic in England as well as at SC Cambuur in the Netherlands.

As reports out of Europe became more persistent over rumored interest of Rusnák the last two weeks, high-profile clubs such as AS Roma, Swansea City and Watford have all been said to be chasing the young Slovakian playmaker at one time or another. 

If all the details of the contract are soon completed, Rusnák's signing would be a significant check mark on RSL's offseason wish list. The young No. 10 would immediately be slotted in as the replacement for Javier Morales, who after a decade dazzling the RSL fan base, announced he was leaving the club after the 2016 season.

-Chris Kamrani

Twitter: @chriskamrani