Newcastle United-linked Jonathan Viera is set for a move to China.
According to Spanish newspaper Super Deporte, Las Palmas playmaker Jonathan Viera is set for a huge move to China with Beijin Guoan.
Viera, 28, is something of a hometown hero has been born in Las Palmas before joining the club’s ranks way back in 2005, eventually emerging as a first-team star before moves to Valencia, Rayo Vallecano and Standard Liege.
The playmaker – who earned a Spain cap last year – returned to Las Palmas in 2015, and has notched four goals and three assists in La Liga this season as Las Palmas struggle to avoid the La Liga drop zone.
Now, Viera appears to be on the move, with a €30million (£26.6million) move to China’s Beijing Guoan thought to be close, as Viera himself has admitted that the offer is huge for his family.
Newcastle set to miss out
Speculation surrounding Viera’s future isn’t new, as The Telegraph reported last month that Newcastle United were interested in signing the playmaker for £18million.
Las Palmas are now set to earn much more than that, but it’s another case of Newcastle not getting a deal done quickly enough and ultimately missing out to a club offering greater riches.
Manager Rafael Benitez has been searching for a proven No. 10, and his fellow Spaniard Viera would have fit the bill, but the club’s takeover falling apart may have ultimately ended Benitez’s hopes.
Now, Newcastle’s hopes appear to be dead in the water as Viera nears a move to China, with a deal expected to go through before the Chinese transfer deadline on February 28th.
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