Mexican defender Hector Moreno is a man in demand.
Teams from the Premier League, La Liga and Russia are all chasing his signature. Moreno’s options are plentiful and varied. Where will the former Pumas UNAM man go?
Spanish reports claim that both Swansea City and Cardiff City could pounce to sign Espanyol’s defender. With a transfer fee in excess of $12 million expected by the Barcelona-based club. So far, nobody has met that valuation but today Russian side Rubin Kazan have jumped ahead of the two Welsh clubs with a $10 million bid.
Espanyol have described the player as “untouchable” but that bid from Kazan is going to test their mettle.
Moreno, 25, has played 46 times for Mexico and is a rising star in La Liga. It is clear to understand why Espanyol don’t want to sell their defensive lynchpin but with the club still battling financial problems, Moreno may have to move on.
Forever living in the shadows of cross city rivals FC Barcelona, Espanyol looked to have made a huge step forward when they moved into the brand new Estadio Cornellà-El Prat for the 2009-10 season. But the new venue has crippled the club with debt and forced them to sell off several players and they lost manager Mauricio Pochettino.
(MORE: Monday’s Transfer Rumor Roundup, Abdulrahman to Arsenal, Defoe to West Brom)
Through all of that, Moreno has remained at Espanyol. But now the tough-tackling defender should probably move on. He’s outgrown Espanyol, just like he outgrew AZ Alkmaar when he first moved to European soccer in 2008.
He can reach the very top of the European game. No doubt about that. A move to the Premier League, especially to Swansea, would suit Moreno. He is use to playing out from the back in Spain and Michael Laudrup encourages that at the Liberty Stadium. And with Swansea’s central defender Ashley Williams attracting interest from Arsenal, Moreno could be an excellent replacement in South Wales.
For now the rumor mill will continue to churn out possible destinations for Moreno. He could remain in Spain with Espanyol or another La Liga side, go to the Premier League or get Europa League soccer with Rubin Kazan.
Whatever happens the Mexican internationals steady rise to stardom will continue on European soil. In some country. Somewhere.
