UK Edition
Newcastle and Burnley interested in £18m Jonathan Viera
A number of Premier League clubs, including Newcastle United and Burnley, are interested in signing Spanish midfielder Jonathan Viera who is believed to be available this month for around €20 million (£17.8million).
The 28-year-old, who made his full debut for Spain last October, against Israel in their final World Cup qualifier, is currently with Las Palmas, who are bottom of La Liga, and it is thought he will be allowed to leave if a deal can be struck.
Viera is an attacking midfielder, who can also play as a left-winger, who came through the youth academy at Las Palmas before joining Valencia and then, briefly, Standard Liege in Belgium. After a loan spell at Rayo Vallecano he returned to his boyhood club, initially on loan, back in 2015, and has done well.
Last season Las Palmas finished 11th with Viera claiming seven goals and seven assists
Viera’s contract runs until 2021 but given Las Palmas’s struggles this season it is believed they are prepared to cash in on him during the January window.
Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez is desperate to strengthen his squad and, in particular, add more creativity and a goal threat to his team as they fight to avoid relegation. Burnley have also expressed interest.
In fact Newcastle were linked with a move for Viera last summer as, even more strongly, were Swansea City who had already signed his former Las Palmas team-mate, midfielder Roque Mesa, for £11million.