Moreno denies Villarreal deal

Espanyol striker Gerard Moreno has denied he has already penned a deal to return to Villarreal in the summer transfer window.

The 26-year-old joined the Yellow Submarine from local side Badalona in 2010 before going on to make 40 La Liga appearances with 10 goals between 2012 and 2015, after which he signed a five-year deal with Los Pericos, who bought 50 per cent of his rights for a €1.5m fee.

However, Moreno told reporters this week that he had not signed anything with the Castellon outfit, although he did admit he knows there is interest from his former club, who would need to pay half of the €40m buyout clause in his contract.

Moreno is Espanyol’s leading scorer this season with 15 goals and it has been an open secret in recent weeks that a return to the Estadio de la Ceramica is imminent, with Villarreal boss Javi Calleja doing nothing to dampen the speculation.

“I always want to have the best but he belongs to Espanyol and right now I’m concentrating on this season. When it’s over, we’ll plan for the next one,” Calleja said.

La Liga - Club News