The State of Real Madrid Interest in Altidore

Those Jozy Altidore to Real Madrid rumors are coming with more force recently, even if they are not stating much different. Despite what Jozy said yesterday on his New York Times Goal Blog, today the AP is reporting more of the same, that Real Madrid sporting director assistant Carlos Bucero made a trip to New York to discuss Madrid’s interest in Jozy.

And all of this comes after New York Red Bull President Marc De Grandpre has stated that Jozy “isn’t going anywhere” and that he is not for sale. From my estimation, all of these reports add up to this scenario…

Jozy is drawing what looks to be some serious interest from Real Madrid, and although he speaks like he would be happy with staying in New York for a little longer, he leaves the door open to a move if it comes. Now, despite what De Grandpre said about Jozy not being for sale, if Jozy wishes to make a move abroad his priority, I don’t think Red Bull would like to get in any kind of feud with the future of American soccer and throw away any possible marketing opportunities or Jozy’s future return to the Red Bulls after his career in Europe. That being said, they in no way want to sell him, and unless Jozy bites hard at this interest and has his heart set on leaving now, he’ll probably be around for next year.

By the way, if I see another “Jozy is the Real Deal” type pun/headline I am going to have to call up Michael Bradley to take care of the culprit. Seriously, if this continues it will rival the “Much Adu about Freddy” or “Adieu to Adu” puns, and that would be an embarrassment for the US Soccer media.

So, what do you think about these newest reports?…When is Jozy leaving MLS?