Altidore considering European move

 

Red Bulls fans, prepare to be concerned.

Young star forward Jozy Altidore expressed his interesting in a move to Europe after the current season. In an interview with SBI earlier this week, Altidore stated that he will consider a move to Europe if the right  offer comes this off-season.

"It's something to definitely look at come the offseason; you just have to wait and see," Altidore said. "Anything's possible. I'm not trying to rush it. I have to wait for the right team to come calling, and if they do then I don't see why I wouldn't leave."

Do I think he will leave? I think he made a big enough impression at the Under-20 World Cup to garner a big transfer bid this winter. How big? That's the question. An 18-year-old striker (he turns 18 in November) who is about 6-foot-1 and growing, who has also shown good finishing ability, is someone European clubs will pay good money for. An $8 million to $10 million bid wouldn't shock me. If Alexandre Pato can secure a $30 million bid then Altidore should be able to net a big bid that would easily become the highest transfer ever paid for an American player (well, an American player who isn't playing for Italy.)

Would the Red Bulls sell him? It's not like they need the money but if Altidore wants to go they would be hard pressed not to grant his wish. That said, you have to think Red Bull would want Altidore around for when the team opens its new stadium in 2009.

What do you think of Altidore's comments? Do they worry you? Do you think Altidore comes back in 2008? Share your thoughts below.

Comments

[Istvan from Budapest]

Best of luck to Jozy

However, you need to be realistic, Ives. $8-$10 million? I'd be surprised if MLS got $3 million given Adu's $$

[Jeff]

I love Oatmeal and greedily want him to stay and be our franchise player. However, I reluctantly admit that if Arena makes the right moves we can win without him, and it is sooooooooo important for our national team to produce a forward that can produce on the world stage. It's bittersweet, but I say good luck and good bye if it's the right offer (NOT Benfica or some second-tier league club).

[Connor]

As a Metro fan it would be sad to see him go. But as a US Nats fan it would be awesome. Also it is not at all surprising. I can't imagine anyone has thought he would stay for next season after turning 18.

[pete]

go for it!

[Jasen]

Connor, it would be at least a little surprising because in the past he has stated that he would like to stay for a while. I can't help but think though, that someone like Adu has gotten in his ear about leaving MLS for Europe, or it could just be him seeing his U20 teammates making the move.

Regardless, because he's 18, I would have no problem with him going to develop at a club like Benfica. Obviously I'd prefer it if Jozy left us to go start for a club like Liverpool than develop at Benfica, but there's that issue of reality which you have to factor in.

It'd really suck for RBNY but I'd understand and wouldn't blame him, just like I want as many of our other top players to make the move overseas.

[nutmegger]

In the UK I think he have a work permit issue to overcome. So Holland or Germany appears more likely. I would miss him but it would be great to follow his career progress.

[Dannyc58]

I think he should go if the right team comes calling. Not the Derby County's of the world...

[anon]

Given his haitian background, I could see him going to a top team in France. I don't think Germany would be a good fit for him. England, Spain or Italy would all be great.

[Jeff]

What really grinds my gears is that NYRB gets the shaft in the transfer. I think it's time MLS starts getting together a much better compensation system to teams that have big stars that leave big holes to fill.

[J1m]

There is a lot of time between now and December. I hope he's able to use it wisely and drive his stock even higher. I think his performance in U20 WC would ease the way for a Prem spot, but I expect a few heavy teams to come calling when time is right.

[A Diddy]

As much as I love Jozy, I'm not convinced he's tough enough yet for England. I think Italy would be perfect. He could develop his ball skills, vision, and physicality there. England will come later.

[Brian]

Well, if he doesn't go overseas, his new nickname will probably be 'Jozycakes'.

He isn't good enough for the big three just yet but I doubt he'll get much better playing in BeckLS.

[Fuego Fanatico]

"Given his haitian background, I could see him going to a top team in France. I don't think Germany would be a good fit for him. England, Spain or Italy would all be great.

Posted by: anon | August 09, 2007 at 10:30 AM"

I'd love for Altidore to go to a French side like Lyon or Marseille. Altidore playing up top with Cisse and being provided service by Nasri would be great.

[kpugs]

Bye bye Josmer, thanks for the memories.

As for possible destinations, does he even speak French? I could very easily be wrong here but I don't think he does.

I'm not saying he will only go to an English-speaking country, but there will be bigger teams than those in France vying for his signature. If he's going to go somewhere where he'll have a language barrier I see him choosing Italy or Spain over France.

[Felix]

I thought Altidore would be around for another year but if the offers are coming in, and there's interest I don't blame him for wanting to leave, especially with Zizzo, Adu, and possibly Szetela all going overseas.
He's going to go overseas eventually, so if a good situation comes about, I can see it happening. I think the Prem would be a good fit for him, but I don't know about work permit issues. Serie A would work for him too I think.

[Puhe]

I dont know but MLS / Red Bulls would be dumb to let him leave below value.

[Roehl]

Jozy needs to stay with RB, for the benefit of the team, of MLS and of American soccer. Any talent that we lose to Europe is a detriment to the game here. Go back through the last five years, there hasn't been a major American player whose move overseas paid dividends for the development of MLS or soccer in America.

[matttttt]

as a dc united fan i'd love to see him leave rbny, and as a usmnt fan i'd love to see him developing in europe. he showed me enough pure finishing ability at the u20 level to think he merits a shot at the full national team, and a shot in one of europe's top leagues. i like the french idea (does he speak french?), but i don't think lyon or marseille would be a good fit. we don't want him somewhere battling for a spot on the bench, let alone in the first 11, we want him playing every week. he'd be better off at auxerre, lille, bordeaux or another of the non-megaclubs that is known for bringing along young players around a solid core of veterans. i don't think germany would be a bad place either. i could see him knocking in goals up top for hannover, wolfsburg or hertha for a year, then making a move up to one of the bigger clubs.

[John]

Jozy is as good as gone. Where is the real question. About the work permit issue in the UK. If one of the top 4 come calling they'll get him regardless of nt meeting the 70% of USMNT caps. It's not a level playing field over there. Derby could get Josh Wolf beacuse of this very issue. I hope that's not the case for Benny.
Jozy to Aresenal in the December transfer window!

[John]

correction
Derby could not get JW because of the caps issue

[LA Metro]

Side point here: Didn't he score 4 goals? Two against Brazil, one against Poland and one v. Austria?

[Braden]

You can't blame the kid for wanting to leave the NYRB. I thought his response to the question about playing as a left-sided midfielder was diplomatic, but revealing. Why stick around in a league and with a coach who will consistently play you out of position? It ruins your form and raises unfair questions about your quality and commitment. I think it's better for players like Altidore to spend their time in the reserves at their natural position on a quality European club team.

Go to Europe Altidore!

Play Altidore at forward Arena!

[jade1mls]

He is as good as gone. Maybe if Red Bull played on grass he'd stick around but I doubt it. He's made comments about the tuff at Giants Stadium. He needs to go to Europe ASAP as it will benefit the national team in 2010

[jade1mls]

Gets the shaft Jeff? Compensation package? You mean the one where clubs get to keep 75% of the transfer fee now? They changed the rules last year. Try to keep up.

[Jon]

Hey, maybe with the transfer money they could pay someone to work faster on the stadium.