The wonderful, kind, loving Taylor Twellman has decided to heap some more major breaking news on this already insane day of happenings around MLS.
Jozy Altidore is reportedly discussing a contract with Major League Soccer, and there are three teams interested. Those teams are Toronto FC, New York Red Bulls, and Portland Timbers.
Toronto does not currently have a Designated Player spot open, but would do so if they sell Jermain Defoe. NYRB have one spot open following the departure of Thierry Henry. Portland does not have one open, and although there are rumors that Liam Ridgewell could go out on loan, it appears that would be a short-term loan that would not affect the coming season. Portland owner Merritt Paulson did confirm yesterday that the club had a USMNT player on its radar and that a full Designated Player docket would not stop the club from spending.
Multiple sources tell me Jozy Altidore and @MLS are in discussions about his return this winter with 3 teams applying. #TFC #RBNY #POR
— Taylor Twellman (@TaylorTwellman) January 7, 2015
Jozy has struggled mightily in the Premier League this season and last, scoring just one single Premier League goal for Sunderland across 41 appearances and 2,094 minutes. Between Sunderland and his time at Hull City a number of years ago, Altidore has just a dismal two Premier League goals in 70 appearances totaling 3,554 minutes.
There has been a lot of talk of Altidore leaving Sunderland with his struggles reaching unbearable heights, but much of the talk had previously been of the 24-year-old moving to France, possible to Ligue 1 club Lille, who are poised to lose striker Divock Origi to Liverpool.
However, now it would appear the likely destination for Altidore would be Major League Soccer, where his marketability would be higher than any other destination. It’s interesting that a club with full DP slots would be considered interested, and could mean Jozy may not command as much money here as some might expect given his recent struggles.
The saga is clearly only beginning, with Goal USA’s Ives Galarcep claiming that Altidore still has “many options” in Europe.
Timbers owner Merritt Paulson had hinted about USMNT target. RBNY could desperately use Altidore, who still has options in Germany & France
— Ives Galarcep (@SoccerByIves) January 7, 2015
Let’s just hope we don’t have to deal with another “blind draw” to figure out where Jozy will end up landing.
