Joselu is thought to be heading for the St James’ Park exit door as United scout new strikers for next season, but the Spanish forward may be offered another shot in his native country as Deportivo Alaves weigh up a move, according to AS.
The Madrid-based publication understand new boss Asier Garitano is keen to sign as many as ten new first-team ready options this summer, following his arrival as the successor to Abelardo Fernandez.
Fernandez resigned from the Babazorros’ helm earlier this month, noting he felt he would be unable to offer “100 per cent” next season after guiding the Basque outfit to an eleventh placed finish in La Liga.
Alaves have also parted ways with on-loan centre-forwards Jonathan Calleri and Borja Baston, as they felt Club Deportivo Maldonado and Swansea City’s €12million (£11m) and €5million (£4.4m) respective asking prices were excessive, as the two scored a combined 14 goals in the league last season.
Garitano is therefore keen to find a new focal point for his attack, and AS understand he has his eyes on Joselu and West Ham United’s Lucas Perez.
Joselu began his footballing career in Celta Vigo’s academy before moving on to Real Madrid, TSG Hoffenheim, Eintracht Frankfurt and Hannover 96 before joining Stoke in 2015 and us two years later for a fee in the region of £5million.
The 29-year-old is now valued at £3.6million by TransferMarkt, which may prove more appealing to Alaves, who the Chronicle believe hold favourable scouting reports of Joselu.
He is also reportedly open to a move to the Mendizorrotza Stadium this summer, as well, after seeing his minutes slashed by Rafa Benitez to the sound of 65% in the Premier League.
In our first campaign back in the top-flight, Joselu made 30 outings for a total of 1,655 minutes, but would only taste just 586 minutes from 16 appearances following the arrival of Salomon Rondon on loan.
It would certainly not be much of a shame if Joselu were to return to Spain this summer either, as from his heavily reduced minutes, the £40,000-a-week forward was only able to score twice, and both of those came in the first three weeks of the campaign against Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea.