Real Madrid Chasing Jozy

Real Madrid is very interested in signing New York Red Bulls and U.S. U-20 forward Josmer Altidore, apparently so much so that the Spanish club has sent sporting director assistant Carlos Bucero to the Big Apple to pursue the teen phenom.
Altidore's agent, however, wasn't giving up any details. "We've heard of the interest and for any soccer player it is a thrill to be linked with Real Madrid, and Jozy's really happy about the news," agent Richard Motzkin told The Associated Press. "Jozy's happy with where he's at in this stage of his career with the Red Bulls, but we'll see what happens."

Jozy, who recently turned 18, was selected in the 2006 MLS SuperDraft as the 17th overall pick. After scoring three times in seven games for New York in his rookie season, Altidore became the youngest player to score in the MLS playoffs (16 years, 337 days) when he tallied New York's only goal in their semifinal loss to D.C. United.

This past season, Altidore found the back of the net nine times in 22 games, missing some action while away with the U-20 U.S. team at the World Cup in Canada. While there, he led the U.S. team in scoring with four goals. More recently, he received his first cap with the senior team on November 9th, coming on as a substitute late in the United States' 1-0 victory over host South Africa.