Dutch side want to keep American goal machine.
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AZ Alkmaar have turned down a bid from Premier League side Sunderland after they made a bid for Jozy Altidore, according to Sky Sports.
The Black Cats made the offer last Tuesday as boss Paolo Di Canio looks to continue to reshape the squad by bringing the American international back to England for a second spell.
Altidore spent a solitary and unsuccessful season with Hull City in 2009 that saw him bag just one goal in 28 appearances. However, he has seen his stock rise considerably since making the move to the Eredivise and last season notch 31 goals across all competitions.
Alkmaar last week sold highly rated young midfielder Adam Maher to PSV Eindhoven for £8 million and are now under no pressure to let Altidore leave.
An AZ spokesman told Dutch press agency ANP: “A first bid was insufficient. We have let them know that. Now we have to wait.”
Altidore has also been a key figure in the United States national side’s recent rise to prominence too and has scored four goals in his past four internationals in June as they remain on course to qualify for next year’s World Cup in Brazil.
Sunderland must now decide whether to make an improved bid for the 23-year-old or turn their attentions elsewhere.