Almost one year to the day since Toronto FC's acquisition of Jermain Defoe, the club have made another transfer splash. A deal to send the English striker to Sunderland in exchange for U.S. international Jozy Altidore and cash could soon be completed, per Gareth Wheeler of TSN. Altidore is subject to the allocation process, but it will be a fantastic move for TFC if the deal is confirmed.

When head coach Ryan Nelsen was sacked last August, Toronto ended up missing the playoffs with the newly appointed Greg Vanney. President and CEO Tim Leiweke added to the controversy by announcing that he'd resign by June 30, 2015.

Toronto FC fans were experiencing deja-vu. Their team hasn't made the playoffs since the club's inception in 2007. The failures of the 2014 season were especially disappointing due to the $100 million TFC spent to sign Defoe and Michael Bradley.

Now, it appears that the club is starting to improve. TSN's Luke Wileman claimed that the squad appears to be happier than ever:

This attitude was apparent before Defoe's expected departure and the Altidore rumours surfaced. Assuming the American international is signed, this will alleviate some of the pressure on general manager Tim Bezbatchenko.

A few noted journalists questioned the Altidore signing, including ex-Canada international Jason deVos. However, the 25-year-old fits Vanney's system. He's a strong, physical, hard-working striker who has solid finishing attributes. This is exactly what the TFC coaching staff want from their forwards.

Bradley, who is Altidore's U.S. teammate, spoke highly of the ex-New York Red Bulls striker when he sat down with Kurtis Larson of the Toronto Sun.

"There isn’t anybody who thinks more of Jozy as a player than me,” Bradley said.

“He and I have played together on the national team for a long time. Wherever he ends up at the end of this transfer window, that club is going to be getting a complete striker. He’s somebody who has a desire and a determination to improve himself like no other.”

There's no possibility that Bradley would try to deceive Toronto FC. He's an honest guy who is determined to help TFC qualify for the playoffs in 2015. The midfielder wouldn't give Altidore a ringing endorsement if he couldn't produce for the team.

Altidore's one goal in 42 Premier League appearances is a disappointment, but his 15 goals in 37 MLS games are closer to what TFC fans can expect from the American.

U.S. men's national team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann wasn't too excited about Altidore's imminent move to MLS when he was asked about it by Sports Illustrated's Grant Wahl.

With Jozy, I just say it would be nice if I would see him one day in the European Champions League. Because I think he’s a Champions League player. He has that potential, the talent to do so.

​Now if there is no solution in Europe for him, if the next solution for him is MLS, that’s totally cool with me. I have no problem with that. 

From a competitive standpoint, it’s normal that a coach wishes that his players go to the highest level possible. Which would be in his case the Bundesliga or Serie A or La Liga or even the French league, if it’s not the Premier League right now.

At the end of the day, whether he decides to go to Toronto or New York, that’s purely his decision, just as it was Michael Bradley’s decision or Clint Dempsey’s decision [to move from Europe to MLS].

Jozy is in a different stage right now because of what he went through since he was 18 going overseas and the difficulties he had all over the place except at Alkmaar.

You never can say something in general. If tomorrow another player comes with a specific situation and says, ‘I’m ready for Europe, what are my options?’ I will explain to him what his options can be.

It will always go in both directions, but for me as a coach the most important thing is that I see them continue to develop make the most out of themselves. And when I get the feeling they’re not making the most out of themselves, then obviously they will have issues with me.

Altidore is expected to sign a four-year deal with Toronto, as stated in Wheeler's report. ESPN's Jeff Carlisle reported the USMNT stalwart is looking to earn about $5 million to $6 million annually.

Carlisle also said that TFC has a higher standing in the allocation rankings and is still the frontrunner, so it's likely that Altidore will land in Toronto.

Spending at least $5 million a year on Altidore seems like a lot, but U.S. internationals are overpaid in MLS. Clint Dempsey and Michael Bradley are two of the league's top earners, per the MLS Player Union.

As long as Altidore produces at least 12 goals a season, which is definitely possible, the money he receives won't be an issue. It will also give him confidence and that will translate with the national team.

Defoe leaving will be a relief for both parties

The sale of Defoe to Sunderland is a massive move for Bezbatchenko, Vanney and the rest of the TFC staff. 

A year ago, Toronto unveiled Defoe, who was supposed to be the team's saviour. However, injuries and unhappiness are among the reasons for the Englishman seeking a return to the Premier League.

TFC will receive about $11 million for Defoe, according to Larson, which can be invested in Altidore and other possible signings:

Defoe scored 11 goals in 19 appearances with Toronto during the 2014 season. There's no doubt that the striker is a talented goalscorer who helped TFC, and he'll provide the same attributes for Sunderland. However, Altidore, who's 25 and determined to prove himself after a poor spell in England, is a solid replacement. 

Swapping an unhappy, 32-year-old Defoe for a hard-working, 25-year-old Altidore is a win.

Will 'the next Alessandro Del Piero' join Toronto FC?

The Defoe and Altidore news is big enough. However, Wheeler also claims that Juventus forward Sebastian Giovinco is close to a deal with Toronto FC and will join in July:

If the move is confirmed, that means the new CBA will include a fourth designated player, and TFC will have to restructure Gilberto's deal or the club will be forced to sell the Brazilian.

Giovinco was a highly touted youth product with Juventus. He was expected to be the heir to Alessandro Del Piero and had a bright future ahead of him. A solid 2011/12 season with Parma, where he scored 15 goals and recorded 11 assists, led to Juve re-signing the forward.

However, since he came back to the Bianconeri he hasn't met these lofty expectations. That's not completely his fault, but at 27 and with experience in Europe and the Italian national team, he'd be a terrific addition for TFC.

Giovinco, who stands at just 5'4", is a quick, technical attacker who can score and operate in a playmaking role. His height would be worrying in a physical league like MLS, but he experiences that in Italy and players such as Joao Plata have managed to make an impact.

The Italian would be a great strike partner alongside Altidore up front, but this move is still in the works and it will take a bit of shuffling to execute this deal.

The coaching staff is key for TFC

Toronto recently added ex-New York Red Bull Robin Fraser as an assistant coach. Fraser was a part of Mike Petke's staff, but he left New York just before Petke was fired.

Fraser is highly respected across the league. He was an assistant at Real Salt Lake, a club for which he played, and helped guide the team to an MLS Cup in 2009.

The Jamaican-born American was also the Chivas USA head coach for two seasons before joining New York when Petke was hired. He helped lead the Red Bulls to a Supporters' Shield win in 2013 and the Eastern Conference finals last year.

Fraser's departure coincided with Petke's firing, so it's possible that one led to the other. If that's the case, then that says a lot about the ex-U.S. international's credentials.

Hiring talented assistants is extremely important for every coach. They can undertake many responsibilities, like coaching the defence or attack.

Assistants can also help the head coach by giving him insights during a game to help the team tactically adjust during a match.

The Fraser hiring was a terrific move by Toronto, and he should positively impact the club this season.

Peter Galindo covers MLS and U.S. soccer for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter @pgalindo16.

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