Jozy Altidore: Latest Updates on Sunderland Striker's Possible MLS Return

Updates from Thursday, Jan. 8

The New York Red Bulls are not willing to spend the money to bring back Jozy Altidore to the club, according to Doug McIntyre of ESPN.

McIntyre claims that Altidore is seeking an annual salary of around $5 million to $6 million. However, the pressing issue is the transfer fee, which definitely won't be cheap.

Toronto FC head coach Greg Vanney revealed that the club will try to sign the American international, per Kurtis Larson of the Toronto Sun.

Meanwhile, Portland Timbers owner Merritt Paulson admitted that the club is monitoring Altidore, via Jamie Goldberg of The Oregonian.

It appears as if TFC and the Timbers will be the front-runners to sign Altidore. Both ownership groups will be aggressive during the offseason after the two clubs failed to qualify for the 2014 playoffs.

Original Text

Sunderland forward and U.S. international Jozy Altidore is interested in returning to MLS, per ESPN's Taylor Twellman:

Twellman claims that three teams are keen on signing Altidore. Toronto FC, Portland Timbers and his old club—the New York Red Bulls—are the potential suitors.

Altidore has yet to score in 11 Premier League appearances this season. He has just one league goal since joining Sunderland last year, via ESPN FC.

However, the 25-year-old was prolific in The Netherlands. He scored 38 goals in 52 Eredivisie matches with AZ Alkmaar, per ESPN FC. He's also spent time with Villarreal and Hull City, among others.

It's unknown whether Altidore would be a designated player. However, all three teams that Twellman claims are interested in the American's services need help upfront.

Portland rotated their strikers in 2014. Maxi Urruti, Gaston Fernandez and Fanendo Adi shared the load, but having someone of Altidore's caliber could give head coach Caleb Porter a consistent option. 

Toronto's future all depends on Jermain Defoe's situation. The Englishman is linked with a move back to the Premier League, per Darren Lewis of the Daily Mirror. If they signed Altidore, that would immediately solve their striker crisis.

Thierry Henry's retirement was a blow to the New York Red Bulls, but landing Altidore would give them a complementary option with last season's Golden Boot winner Bradley Wright-Phillips.