Newcastle United are reportedly interested in signing Villarreal forward Gerard Moreno as they look to bolster their ranks for the second half of the season.
According to a report from journalist Pedro Almeida, Newcastle United have set their sights on Villarreal and Spain forward Gerard Moreno ahead of the upcoming January transfer window.
Moreno is currently in his second spell with Villarreal. The 29-year-old had spent five years at El Madrigal between 2010 and 2015, at which point he left for Espanyol. After three years with the club, the Spaniard made his way back to the Yellow Submarine and has since grown into one of the most reliable forwards in La Liga.
Across his two stints, Moreno has made 197 appearances for Villarreal, scoring 87 goals and registering 29 assists in the process. A regular for the Spanish national team since his debut in 2019, the versatile forward has netted five times in 17 matches.
Moreno signed a new contract with Villarreal earlier this year, extending his stay at the club till the summer of 2027. However, that has not stopped Newcastle United from registering an interest in signing the 29-year-old ahead of the January transfer window.
The Magpies are in the market for reinforcements to their squad as they look to rekindle their floundering season. Currently 19th in the league table, Newcastle United are one of the top contenders to face the drop from the Premier League at the end of the season. While there have been signs of life under new manager Eddie Howe, they still have a long way to go.
And, new faces in the squad, in attack and defence, are very much needed to make a concerted push for safety. Considering that they are over-reliant on Callum Wilson and Allan Saint-Maximin to produce the goods in the final third of the pitch, a new striker can go a long way in reviving their season.
It has led to an interest in Fiorentina star Dusan Vlahovic, with reports of the Tynesiders making a gigantic €100 million offer for him circulating. However, a move for the Serbian international is unlikely to materialise, given their current league position.
While the Magpies are believed to be keeping an eye out on Luton Town youngster Elijah Adebayo, a more accomplished player like Moreno, who can play through the middle or out on the flanks, would be a more sensible signing for the club. But given his contract length and their league position, whether Newcastle can work out a move in January remains to be seen.
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