Manchester United 'hold talks' with agent of Newcastle United flop over transfer

Manchester United are reportedly in talks with former Newcastle United striker Joselu.

The 34-year-old, who is currently on loan at Real Madrid from Espanyol, still has a year left on his contract with his parent club. However, a permanent deal at the Bernabeu may depend on whether Kylian Mbappe signs from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer.

According to Relevo reporter Matteo Moretto, United have made a move to sign him. The news comes despite the player's apparent desire to stay where he is and fight for his place under Carlo Ancelotti.

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The future of Marcus Rashford also remains the subject of speculation after being lined with a big-money switch to PSG. Should a move to Old Trafford for Joselu materialise, it's unlikely to come courtesy of a significant transfer fee.

It would be viewed with scepticism in some quarters, though, given the forward's age and previous stints in England with Newcastle and Stoke City. Ahead of the 2015/16 season, Joselu joined the Potters from Hannover 96 in a £5.75million deal, but he scored just four times in his debut campaign.

His then-manager, Mark Hughes, publicly said the player had struggled to adapt to the Premier League before duly shipping him out to Deportivo La Corona on a season-long loan.

Following that year, he signed for Newcastle for £5million. But another barren two seasons followed, scoring just seven times in 52 appearances before he again returned to Spain to join Alaves.

Joselu then propelled himself back into the shop window last summer, coming on as a sub to score a late winner for Spain in the Nations League semi-final win over Italy. He also came on in the final and converted from 12 yards as his side beat Croatia in a penalty shootout.