Villarreal may bid on U.S.' Altidore

With $15 million burning a hole in its pocket following the sale of Martín Cáceres to Barcelona, Spanish club Villarreal is on the lookout for potential new signings, with MLS sensation Jozy Altidore among its targets.

Altidore, 18, is one of the best emerging talents in American soccer and has forged an excellent strike partnership with Juan Pablo Ángel at the New York Red Bulls.

A number of European clubs have been tracking his progress, with Real Madrid said to have been among the sides that have had the powerful striker watched in recent times.

However, it seems that it will be Villarreal that makes the first move for Altidore, with a report in Marca suggesting that the Spanish club will make an offer to MLS for the player in the next few days, with the intention of loaning him out to Recreativo Huelva next season.

Villarreal is also planning a similar move for Urguayan midfielder Robert Flores, 22, who currently plys his trade for River Plate of Montevideo. Flores is described as having a keen eye for a pass, as well as for finding the back of the net, and would also be loaned to Recre should a deal materalize.

It should be noted that Altidore and Flores are not the only two young players that Villarreal is keeping tabs on, with the likes of Cristian Villagra, of Argentina's River Plate; Diego Valeri, Lanús; and Grêmio pair Tiago and Douglas Costa linked with the club in recent weeks.