Updated: June 6, 2008, 1:18 PM ET
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- New York Red Bulls striker Jozy Altidore would not be surprised if Villarreal decides to loan him to another club in the Spanish League once his roughly $10 million transfer is complete.
There has been a report that Villarreal, which finished second in the Spanish League, might send the 18-year-old American to Recreativo Heulva on loan to indoctrinate him into European soccer.
"That is something that a lot of clubs do when you go to a new league," Altidore said Thursday, a day after Major League Soccer agreed in principle to his record transfer. "It's not easy to adjust, especially for me. I would see a little bit of a faster-paced game. It's a bit different over there. That would not be a bad idea."
Altidore, who has a team-high three goals in eight games with the Red Bulls this season, said Villarreal has not discussed loaning him out.
"It would be tough for me to get in there right away and contribute the way I want to," Altidore said.
The transfer might prevent Altidore from representing the United States in the Olympics in Beijing in August. The Spanish League starts at the end of the summer, and it is likely that his new club would want him to train with it to get accustomed to his teammates.
Altidore has not spoken to Villarreal about playing in the Olympics.
While the transfer is not coming at an opportune time for the Red Bulls, it is not unexpected. There had been talk last year about a possible transfer to Real Madrid.
Talks between Villarreal, Altidore and MLS started in January, cooled off and then heated up again recently.
Altidore, who injured an ankle in practice on Monday, still has to pass a physical and reach a contract agreement with Villarreal. He is currently earning $128,333 with the Red Bulls. His new salary should jump significantly.
Players also usually earn 10 percent of the transfer fee, so he should pick up $1 million.
The transfer fee is a record for U.S. player. It is nearly double the amount that Sunderland of England paid for Claudio Reyna ($5.7 million) in 2001.
While he has always wanted to play overseas, Altidore did not go into this season thinking this would be the year it happened.
"I just wanted to be healthy and have a good year like every other year," Altidore said. "Fortunately for me, this opportunity came up."
Altidore said the Spanish League was second only to the English Premier League in quality of play.
"I want to be in a place where I can be challenged on a daily basis," Altidore said.
With a rare combination of speed, size and strength, Altidore might be the best young American striker. He had nine goals last year, his first full season in MLS, finishing eighth in the league in scoring.
The Red Bulls will receive roughly $5 million from the transfer fee, but they can't use it to sign a designated player because they already have two -- Juan Pablo Angel and Reyna.
"I don't think you can immediately replace somebody like Jozy," sporting director Jeff Agoos said. "We have other positions we are trying to strengthen. We will try to use some of those resources in those positions."
Finding a forward to replace Altidore will come down the road, Agoos said.
Altidore has made three appearances for the U.S. national team and scored his first goal against Mexico in February.
Altidore was disappointed leaving the Red Bulls, a team he grew up watching. He said every game he played with the team was special.
