AMSTERDAM — Despite reports from Spain insisting Villarreal has already decided to offload US striker Jozy Altidore this summer, his agent says the club won't make that determination until the transfer scene around top gun Giuseppe Rossi plays out.
The Yellow Submarine are reportedly deep into Rossi talks with Barcelona, and manager Juan Carlos Garrido admitted to reporters on Thursday that his ace was likely to leave this summer. As Villarreal are primarily focused for now on the New Jersey-born Italy star, fellow Garden State native Altidore returns from a Bursaspor loan with his future on wait-and-see mode.
"With Villarreal, it comes down to what happens with Giuseppe Rossi and some of the other players they have," Altidore rep Lyle Yorks told MLSsoccer.com by phone on Friday. "It's quite a few forwards that they have."
The northern Spaniards have also been made busy with calls about forwards Nilmar and Marco Rubén. Like Altidore, winger Jefferson Montero is coming back from a loan spell with the Spanish press already trying to re-pack his bags.
While Villarreal get their ducks in a row, a handful of clubs across Europe are waiting on hold with their interest in the former New York Red Bulls striker.
A source close to loan employers Bursaspor conceded that they were likely to fail in their persistent transfer bid for Altidore — though not for a lack of trying. The young American's situation is also still being monitored by other holding pattern teams, including a Premier League side and two Eredivisie outfits.
"Bursa still has an interest in Jozy," confirmed Yorks. "And there is still interest in the UK and Holland. That's all still in the same place."
Earlier this week, Altidore told ExtraTime Radio that he was open to a permanent move away from Villarreal, with amount of playing time as his first priority. The 21-year-old is currently in the Boston area with the US national team preparing for Saturday's friendly visit from World Cup champs Spain.
