| Posted by | Message |
Tennessee Jed 
Mississippi St. Fan
Member since Nov 2009
12322 posts
| US Transfer Rumors - ESPN (Posted on 12/27/12 at 9:51 am)
Jozy Altidore to Chelsea (England), Fiorentina (Italy)
Leading the Eredivisie in scoring for much of the season will usually get a player noticed, and Altidore has been no exception.
After a few years of adaptation difficulties in Europe, the Red Bull product is tearing up Holland, one of the top stepping-stone leagues to the highest levels of European football. According to AZ Alkmaar general manager and former USMNT standout Earnie Stewart, Altidore has attracted scouts from the EPL, Serie A and the Bundesliga, with Chelsea and Fiorentina particularly interested in the tanklike forward, either this winter or next summer. With Chelsea struggling up front, a move might just make sense for the player and the club. The American has proved that he can score goals with proper service and chances, two things that he would have in abundance in London.
Omar Gonzalez to Nuremburg (Germany)
Gonzalez went on loan to Nuremberg last winter and promptly suffered an ACL injury that kept him sidelined for six months and nearly ruined the L.A. Galaxy's championship season. Needless to say, he's not going out on loan again this year. But with just a year left on his contract, if MLS and the Galaxy want anything in return for developing one of the region's top young defenders, they'll need to unload him in January or see him sign a pre-contract elsewhere as soon as June. With Gonzalez's form already back to pre-injury levels, expect the rumor mill to kick into full gear as European teams look for midseason reinforcements in January.
Terrence Boyd to Liverpool (England)
The young American has scored 10 goals this semester across competitions for Rapid Vienna, something that Liverpool coach Brendan Rodgers, lacking for striking talent, reportedly finds of interest. The move to Anfield could come as soon as early 2013 if those reports are to be believed, although Boyd would have to continue to convince through the rest of the winter to earn what would be the shock transfer of the year for Americans.
Mix Diskerud, MF, Rosenborg (Norway) to Portland (MLS) or Rapid Vienna (Austria)
Diskerud has impressed in a half-season back in Norway with Rosenborg after a loan to Belgian club Gent in the spring. The 22-time Norwegian champs have offered an extension, and the ever-loyal dual national says that's the only place he'll play in Norway. But after Mix spent a half-season on loan in Belgium earlier this year, there's lowland interest as well. Austrian side Rapid Vienna is also reportedly in the race to sign him. Late-breaking news last week revealed MLS side Portland and incoming manager Caleb Porter, who got to know Diskerud during the Americans' failed Olympic qualifying bid, are also in evolved discussions with the up-and-coming American international.
Conor O'Brien to Holland
O'Brien has been one of the U.S.'s under-the-radar talents abroad for a couple of seasons while making his name in Denmark after going undrafted by MLS. But with the secret starting to get out, clubs in nearby Holland are apparently keeping tabs on the American. With the long Danish offseason providing a chance for a Dutch team to pry the attacker from Sonderjyske, now may be the time the 24-year-old New York native finally hits the big time.
Amobi Okugo to Freiburg (Germany)
Of the numerous training stints currently being enjoyed by MLS-based Americans overseas, Okugo to Bundesliga side Freiburg seems among the closest to turning into a serious long-term relationship. This marks the second straight winter Okugo has headed to Freiburg, and there must be at least a little bit of mutual attraction behind the continued flirtation. Okugo is versatile enough to fit in at the Bundesliga level, but he may still be a little too green to contribute in Germany.
Juan Agudelo to Celtic (Scotland)
Agudelo is Latino, which means there may still be a place for him at the revamped Chivas USA operation set to kick off next year. But few players in MLS could benefit from a change in scenery like the Red Bull product, who had an overwhelmingly successful training stint at Celtic following a good showing in the USMNT's friendly in Russia in November. After both sides made comments about their desire to further explore a long-term relationship in Scotland, it wouldn't be strange to see the Old Firm's remaining giant make a bid in the new year.
|
| Back to top | Share on  |
Tennessee Jed
Mississippi St. Fan
Member since Nov 2009
12322 posts
| re: US Transfer Rumors - ESPN (Posted on 12/27/12 at 10:02 am to Tennessee Jed)
The two moves I'd most like to see happen are Gonzalez and Okugo.
Two young US center-halfs playing in the Bundesliga would send me to cloud 9.
|
| Back to top | |
Harry Caray 
LSU Fan
Team Boxtard Grounds Crew
Member since Aug 2009
10537 posts
| re: US Transfer Rumors - ESPN (Posted on 12/27/12 at 10:05 am to Tennessee Jed)
quote:
Jozy Altidore to Chelsea (England
HOLY shite PLEASE
|
| Back to top | |
Tennessee Jed
Mississippi St. Fan
Member since Nov 2009
12322 posts
| re: US Transfer Rumors - ESPN (Posted on 12/27/12 at 10:06 am to Harry Caray)
I actually wouldn't be very happy with that move. I don't think he'd be a regular player, by any stretch of the imagination.
However, Altidore to Fiorentina would definitely intrigue me.
|
| Back to top | |
Harry Caray
LSU Fan
Team Boxtard Grounds Crew
Member since Aug 2009
10537 posts
| re: US Transfer Rumors - ESPN (Posted on 12/27/12 at 10:07 am to Tennessee Jed)
He can replace Torres please please please please
|
| Back to top | |
LSUSOBEAST1
LSU Fan
Member since Aug 2008
25660 posts
| re: US Transfer Rumors - ESPN (Posted on 12/27/12 at 10:10 am to Tennessee Jed)
quote:
Jozy Altidore to Chelsea (England)
Would crush his career.
|
| Back to top | |
Meursault
Member since Sep 2003
21227 posts
| re: US Transfer Rumors - ESPN (Posted on 12/27/12 at 10:10 am to Harry Caray)
No on Jozy to Chelsea. Me not liking Chelsea is one thing, but Jozy needs to go somewhere where he will get playing time, and lots of it. I don't see that happening with Chelsea.
|
| Back to top | |
Harry Caray
LSU Fan
Team Boxtard Grounds Crew
Member since Aug 2009
10537 posts
| re: US Transfer Rumors - ESPN (Posted on 12/27/12 at 10:15 am to Meursault)
well...if he went to Fiorentina, at least I'd finally have an Italian team to root for 
|
| Back to top | |
Wait For It...
LSU Fan
SE Texas
Member since Jun 2012
1063 posts
 Online
| re: US Transfer Rumors - ESPN (Posted on 12/27/12 at 10:21 am to Harry Caray)
quote:
I'd finally have an Italian team to root for
|
| Back to top | |
cwil177
LSU Fan
Baton Rouge
Member since Jun 2011
5495 posts
| re: US Transfer Rumors - ESPN (Posted on 12/27/12 at 10:30 am to Tennessee Jed)
I would bet that none of those rumors materialize.
Jozy won't go to Chelsea, but I could see him going back to the Prem with a mid level team some time in the summer.
Omar isn't going to Nuremburg any time soon. He has another year on his MLS contract and has already said he's not renewing his contract so that he can try to go to Europe on a free transfer.
Boyd is in his first real season of first team football, so I'd be surprised to see that Liverpool move happen.
I would expect Mix to look for a move up rather than a horizontal move.
Maybe Conor O'Brien could happen, but like most people on this board I don't know enough about him to really make that judgment.
I would bet Okugo stays in MLS at least another year before making the jump.
Agudelo might make the Celtic move, but I doubt Celtic ponies up what MLS would ask for him.
|
| Back to top | |
joey barton
TBD Fan
Member since Feb 2011
5530 posts
| re: US Transfer Rumors - ESPN (Posted on 12/27/12 at 10:32 am to Tennessee Jed)
quote:
With Chelsea struggling up front, a move might just make sense for the player and the club
|
| Back to top | |
LSUMJ
LSU Fan
BR
Member since Sep 2004
13493 posts
Online
| re: US Transfer Rumors - ESPN (Posted on 12/27/12 at 10:37 am to cwil177)
Maybe Stoke (18 goals in 19 games) should give Jozy a look
|
| Back to top | |
hendersonshands 
LA-Lafayette Fan
Univ. of Louisiana Ragin Cajuns
Member since Oct 2007
97955 posts
| re: US Transfer Rumors - ESPN (Posted on 12/27/12 at 10:39 am to cwil177)
MLS would be stupid to not sell Omar Gonzalez. You have to make money on your homegrown talent.
|
| Back to top | |
Tennessee Jed
Mississippi St. Fan
Member since Nov 2009
12322 posts
| re: US Transfer Rumors - ESPN (Posted on 12/27/12 at 10:41 am to hendersonshands)
quote:
MLS would be stupid to not sell Omar Gonzalez. You have to make money on your homegrown talent.
I agree. I also think they should have a set percentage of player sales to be reinvested into player development. a substantial figure, like 50% or so.
This post was edited on 12/27 at 10:44 am
|
| Back to top | |
Pedro 
LA-Monroe Fan
the one and only
Member since Jul 2008
15716 posts
Online
| re: US Transfer Rumors - ESPN (Posted on 12/27/12 at 10:47 am to LSUMJ)
quote:
Maybe Stoke (18 goals in 19 games) should give Jozy a look
yes please
|
| Back to top | |
TheZaba
LSU Fan
NOLA
Member since Oct 2008
160 posts
| re: US Transfer Rumors - ESPN (Posted on 12/27/12 at 11:03 am to cwil177)
quote:
Boyd is in his first real season of first team football, so I'd be surprised to see that Liverpool move happen.
They've been going young and cheap to build for the future, so I wouldn't hate it if it was for a low price, but they did already go out and get Yesil during the summer. As a pool fan, I wouldn't hate the move if it were on the cheap, but he needs games so he'd prolly need to be loaned out.
|
| Back to top | |
etm512
LSU Fan
Madisonville, LA
Member since Aug 2005
11405 posts
| re: US Transfer Rumors - ESPN (Posted on 12/27/12 at 11:07 am to cwil177)
quote:
Jozy won't go to Chelsea, but I could see him going back to the Prem with a mid level team some time in the summer.
I am biased but I think he would be a great fit with Swansea and would love to see it
|
| Back to top | |
LSU Red24
LSU Fan
Louisiana
Member since Feb 2007
4024 posts
| re: US Transfer Rumors - ESPN (Posted on 12/27/12 at 11:12 am to etm512)
If Sturridge and Lukaku couldn't get playing time at Chelsea, I don't know why Jozy would come in an steal some minutes right away. Don't think that'll happen
|
| Back to top | |
Tennessee Jed
Mississippi St. Fan
Member since Nov 2009
12322 posts
| re: US Transfer Rumors - ESPN (Posted on 12/27/12 at 11:20 am to LSU Red24)
we may also be selling Jozy short, he's looked substantially better for AZ this season than he ever has in the reb,white, and blue.
|
| Back to top | |
LSU Red24
LSU Fan
Louisiana
Member since Feb 2007
4024 posts
| re: US Transfer Rumors - ESPN (Posted on 12/27/12 at 11:22 am to Tennessee Jed)
Very true. But how does he compare to other young forwards? Honestly haven't watched him play much outside of USMNT
|
| Back to top | |
