AMSTERDAM – As most European leagues head into their holiday slumber, thoughts are dancing in the heads of those in need of an talent influx via the transfer market. Of course, it wouldn't be a winter window without several Americans potentially up for acquisition.
We're here to cut through the silly season barrage so you have an early warning on who will actually be picking up stakes in January.
Jozy Altidore
The AZ Alkmaar hit man (right) has drawn plenty of scouts by scoring 23 goals so far this year, the top total from Americans playing in European top flights. While it's conceivable someone could make Earnie Stewart an offer he can't refuse, a source told MLSsoccer.com it's most likely Altidore is sold at season's end.
The club already rejected sizable offers from Rubin Kazan and Sporting CP this past summer. Fiorentina, though, may be one to watch; they've been out to see the power forward a number of times and very well could wave goodbye to their top two scorers in June.
Alejandro Bedoya
The US midfielder is out of contract with Helsingborg, who have put an extension offer on the table. Meanwhile, MLSsoccer.com has learned that Swedish champs Elfsborg are trying to lure him away. Bedoya also has a few admirers on the continent, but none has made a serious approach to date.
John Anthony Brooks
The 19-year-old has put in string of strong displays since breaking into the Hertha Berlin backline, drawing reported interest from the likes of Eintracht Frankfurt and Stuttgart. Unsurprisingly, sources told MLSsoccer.com that the Old Lady has been running onto the porch with a shotgun every time a suitor approaches.
Steve Clark
As one might imagine, being named goalkeeper of the year by official Tippeligaen broadcaster TV2 has gained the Hønefoss man some offseason attention.
However, none of it is so enticing as to pull him away from the final year of his contract. Or as HBK manager Leif Gunnar succinctly told Norwegian paper Ringerikes Blad, "There is no one who can afford to get him."
Mikkel Diskerud
Rosenborg have already submitted an extension offer for the free agent midfielder (right), but they have some competition from abroad. The man known as Mix already had fans in the Low Land countries before a standout half-season with the Troll Kids.
Austrian outlet Krone reported on Wednesday that Rapid Vienna have joined the race at the suggestion of USMNT assistant coach Andreas Herzog. Of course, the Green-Whites got two good looks at Diskerud during Europa League group-stage play.
Brad Friedel
Having now apparently lost the top job to Hugo Lloris, the veteran Tottenham Hotspur backstop is most prominently being linked with a return to Blackburn. Southampton have also been mentioned as a possible suitor.
Nevertheless, Friedel recently stated that he's content playing out the last half-season of his deal at Spurs and our sensors have yet to detect signs of life in these rumors.
Clarence Goodson
There's been some chatter in Denmark that the Brøndby captain – who was recently benched for three games – was pondering a return home to America.
However, sources close to the defender told MLSsoccer.com that this is not the case. In fact, Goodson has some interest over on the continent, where he's wanted to end up all along.
Ryan Miller
The free-agent right back is still weighing a return to promoted Halmstad against offers from the German second and third flights. Miller also has interest in MLS, but his agent recently stated that the defender prefers staying in Europe at this time.
Conor O'Brien
Fresh off a top-shelf season with SønderjyskE, the central midfielder is also a winter freebie. As previously reported by MLSsoccer.com, O'Brien has been the target of serious overtures from two clubs up the food chain in Denmark, plus one each in Belgium and the Netherlands.
On Wednesday, his agent told Danish outlet Bold that O'Brien had rejected one of the Danish bidders and one foreign club. He is scheduled to meet with the two teams left holding auction paddles next week.
Michael Parkhurst
The FC Nordsjælland right back (right) has whipped up a small free-agent feeding frenzy with his Champions League group-stage performances. And with the interest coming out of the four biggest leagues, the Wild Tigers know he's leaving.
MLSsoccer.com has learned that Parkhurst is being courted by relegation fighters in the Bundesliga and Serie A, as well as one team in both the EPL and La Liga. He also has some second-division interest in those countries, so this scene could take a while to play out.
