Manchester United could turn to Spain in order to solve their current defensive predicament, as Espanyol defender Hector Moreno is a surprise target.
According to Spanish newspaper Sport, the Mexico centre-back is primed for a move to either Old Trafford or White Hart Lane, as Tottenham Hotspur also rank amongst his suitors. Only yesterday did the player himself confirm that his current club are looking to sell him in the January transfer window should he prove his fitness, and a Premier League outfit could now benefit.
Moreno at Espanyol
Moreno has been sidelined for the entirety of this campaign so far, having broken his shin bone during Mexico’s loss to the Netherlands in the round of 16 stage of the World Cup, coincidentally a match wherein Louis van Gaal was present on the touchline.
Indeed the 26-year-old has relations with both Van Gaal and Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino, which is arguably why he is now being linked with their respective sides. Moreno played under the latter during his time in charge of Espanyol - prior to his move to England - and worked within the regime of the current United manager when they were both at AZ Alkmaar.
United vs Spurs
It’s fair to say that both Van Gaal and Pochettino would be interested in securing his services for a relatively small fee in the next transfer window.
United’s current injury crisis should have been a wake up call from the slumber the manager was in with regards to his reluctance in recruiting more central defenders, and Tottenham’s woes have been evident for all to see.
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Sport also claims however that Moreno is being closely followed by the likes of Lazio and Schalke 04, with the latter of those two clubs potentially preparing for the exit of stalwart Benedikt Howedes, who has been linked with a move away from the Bundesliga recently.
Leaving in January
In any case it would appear that the defender’s time in La Liga is up, with Espanyol having coped fine without him for the duration of the campaign so far. Any chance of him being quickly ushered back into the first-team fold after his recovery were scuppered by his comments yesterday, and so his future post-Christmas will be watched with great interest.