Welsh sides must beat big spending Rubin Kazan to win race for Espanyol defender.
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Swansea & Cardiff face competition from Russian side Rubin Kazan for the signing of Mexican defender Hector Moreno, according to the Express.
Both Premier League sides are keen on the Espanyol defender, and have made bids in the region of £4million for his services, although, the La Liga outfit are holding out for a fee of £8million, otherwise their star defender is ‘untouchable’ this summer.
Rubin Kazan have now entered the race to sign the 25-year old, with club president Joan Collet confirming that a bid had been received from the Russian club, making an initial offer of £6million. Moreno’s agent, Jan van Baal, commented on Kazan’s interest: “We’re ready to initiate negotiations, as soon as the two clubs reach an agreement between themselves.”
Cardiff’s £4million bid was consequently turned down earlier this summer, but their interest may end soon enough following the signing of Steven Caulker from Tottenham for a club record fee of £9million. The highly-rated Mexican was voted the clubs player of the season in his first season at the club and has gone from strength to strength.
Swansea manager Michael Laudrup looks to continue his summer spending by bringing in Moreno, as the La Liga contingent at the club grows. The club have already signed one Espanyol defender this summer, Jordi Amat for a reported £2.5million fee, and have had a £3.9million bid turned down for another Espanyol player, midfielder Wakaso Mubarak turned down.