Red Bulls in the running for Altidore, Kljestan

One of the guys who covers MLS and has consistently accurate sources is Taylor Twellman, so when he says something, it's worth paying attention to. On Twitter today, he reported that the New York Red Bulls are interested in the services of Jozy Altidore.

Multiple sources tell me Jozy Altidore and @MLS are in discussions about his return this winter with 3 teams applying. #TFC #RBNY #POR

— Taylor Twellman (@TaylorTwellman) January 7, 2015

Altidore has been struggling with Sunderland AFC for the last season and a half after an impressive summer run with the US in 2013. He hasn't found a spot on the team under Gus Poyet. He would be a boon to the offensive side of the ball and help take pressure off of Bradley Wright-Phillips.

As a sign of the new direction the team is apparently going in, the Red Bulls are also closing in on signing US midfielder Sacha Kljestan. Kljestan was supposed to sign with the LA Galaxy last year but things fell through during negotiations.

Kljestan is also a signal that the Red Bulls are possibly moving away from Australian Tim Cahill. Cahill has been more interested in playing for Australia, and has made it clear he's looking to keep himself in a position to play in the 2018 World Cup. A player of Kljestan's caliber would be a good replacement and being 29 years old is a departure from the aging DP trend the Red Bulls have followed.

If the reports are true, both players will be returning to an area where they grew either personally or as a soccer player. Altidore is a hometown kid, hailing from Livingston, NJ, and was on the Red Bulls from 2006 to 2008, tallying 15 goals in 37 appearances. Kljestan hails from California, but played college soccer at nearby Seton Hall.