The Daily Mail reports that Fulham will face competition from Hull City in the race to sign American youngster Jozy Altidore.
Altidore, who spent much of last season on loan at Second Divison Xerez and was largely either watching from the bench or injured, enjoyed an eye-catching Confederations Cup with the USA in South Africa this summer. The 19 year-old striker scored the first goal in a shock semi-final victory over Spain.
Villarreal would like to recoup most of the £6m they shelled out to take Altidore to Spain from the New York Red Bulls, where he had enjoyed an impressive start to his professional career. The striker has been watched by a number of Premier League clubs, including Everton, and Fulham are known to be long-term admirers. Roy Hodgson was linked with a loan move earlier in the summer and the Whites would hope that the presence of Altidore’s international colleagues Clint Dempsey and Eddie Johnson in their squad as well as a history of nurturing American talent would put them in pole position.
Phil Brown, desperate to sign a striker before the start of the season, is also keen on Altidore and believes that Hull could have the edge due to the fact that they would offer him more frequent first team football.
Watch this space. Altidore seems certain to move on – having seen a proposed loan transfer to Olympiakos collapse – and Premier League football could come at just the right time to allow his undoubted talent to really blossom.
we should definitely do this.
Villareal bought Altidore for New York Red Bull, not D.C. United..
Thanks The Wolf. Having seen Altidore play for New York I knew that but I’m having a brain problem tonight.
Jozy is 19, not 21. But Fulham should definitely go for him, he will not disappoint. He’s built for Premier League football.
Now corrected. Had a bit of a nightmare last night, obviously. Would love Fulham to sign Altidore – sounds a bit too good to be true, though.
I’d love this to happen. Especially since i’ve been getting quite worried about the lack of transfer activity on the Fulham front. But If we buy the players rumoured at the minute (Altidore, Dessena etc.) I’ll be happy enough!