Jozy Altidore is close to joining AZ and the club's technical director says a loan deal is not an option.
American hitman agrees terms at Eredivisie side
Striker Jozy Altidore is on the brink of completing a move to AZ Alkmaar, and technical director Earnest Stewart insists a loan deal is not an option.
The USA international appears set to leave Villarreal for the Netherlands after reaching a verbal agreement with AZ.
Altidore, who has struggled to make an impact in Spain, confirmed via his
Twitter account that he is poised to join the Eredivisie side.
He wrote: "To all my amazing fans, I have indeed agreed to terms to join AZ In Holland!"
Permanent
Altidore has spent time on loan at Hull City, Xerez and Bursaspor after failing to establish himself at Villarreal since joining from New York Red Bulls in 2008.
But Stewart has confirmed the 21-year-old's move to AZ will be a permanent one, insisting a loan deal was never on the cards.
"A loan was not an option," Stewart told
Noordhollands Dagblad. "That does not fit with our philosophy.
"We want to attract young players and facilitate them in training in the hope that they later produce something."
Stewart admits AZ have been monitoring Altidore for some time, but says the option to buy had not materialised until now.
"He's been on our radar for two, three years," he added. "But then it was not possible to get him because he was sold to Villarreal for $10million (£6.2m).
"Now a possibility has presented itself."
