Jozy Altidore is on Di Canio’s agenda for summer signings.
In a surprise move Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio is aiming to sign AZ Alkmaar striker Jozy Altidore this summer, according to the Sun.
The USA international will be best known to Premier League fans for the season Altidore spent at Hull City in 2009/10.
However, the forward could not establish himself in England managing just two goals in 30 matches for the Tigers, making Di Canio’s decision all the more of a gamble.
In between Hull and the Eredivisie the American has spent time at Villarreal and Bursaspor, although failed to establish himself at either before heading to Alkmaar.
Yet in the Netherlands Altidore has flourished and shown examples of the talent Hull thought he would have, scoring 38 league goals in two seasons.
Although still only 23-years-old the striker has earned an impressive 55 caps for his country to date and netted 13 times.
If Di Canio does secure the services of the American it will further show the Italian’s intentions at Sunderland as he continues to overhaul the squad.
Defenders’ Titus Bramble and Matthew Kilgallon were not given new contracts at the Stadium of Light this summer, whilst Modibo Diakite of Lazio, FC Basel’s Cabral and Valentin Roberge from Maritimo have all joined on free transfers and David Moberg Karlsson has signed from Goteborg.
Altidore is likely to set the Black Cats back £5m however due to his success at Alkmaar, but Di Canio is willing to pay that as he is keen for the forward to partner Steven Fletcher up front.
Sunderland will face competition from Lazio, PSV Eindhoven and Schalke for the American’s signature though.
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