AMSTERDAM – The transfer scene around AZ Alkmaar goal monster Jozy Altidore is heating up, MLSsoccer.com has learned, with one mystery English Premier League side in deep talks over the US striker.
In all, the 23-year-old has interest from two clubs in the English top flight, two in Serie A and at least two in the Bundesliga. Oft-linked Sunderland are, in fact, one of the two Premier League admirers – but not necessarily the team to have progressed in negotiations.
Though Altidore's agent Lyle Yorks would not name any names, he did confirm that an English club had taken the lead in the chase for his client's services and they were "in advanced discussions with them."
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However, UK tabloid reports claiming that Cardiff City, Celtic, Fulham and Norwich City were after Altidore have been found to be completely baseless.
Fresh off a campaign with 31 goals across all competition, the Eredivisie Team of the Season honoree is still getting calls from Lazio. Another suitor previously outed by MLSsoccer.com, Schalke, has now dropped away from the picture.
As previously divulged by Dutch television outlet RTV, Altidore recently rejected a small pile of offers from Russia and Ukraine. Dinamo Kiev were one of four spurned suitors out of the region, while Russian champs Zenit St. Petersburg sized up the USMNT star without ever making an offer.
