Moreno Flys In For Talks

Last updated : 03 January 2004 By Mark Heys
Bolton Wanderers are hoping to add Spanish striker Javier Moreno to their ranks from Athletico Madrid early next week after the players representative Pedro Bravo confirmed that he and the players agent Antonio Alfaro will be flying into Manchester Airport over the weekend to meet Bolton officials to finalise a loan deal for the player.

Moreno is desparate for first team action again having seen his chances in Madrid limited this season and would realish the chance to link up with compatriot Ivan Campo at the Reebok Stadium.

Bravo said the player would agree an initial loan deal until the end of June to try and resurrect his career in England having seen his career dip since moving to AC Milan from a decent spell with Alaves back in 2001.

"The player, Antonio Alfaro (his agent) and I will fly to Manchester and today or tomorrow he will speak with Bolton, If everyone is in agreement, he will sign until the end of June. The main thing for Javi is that he wants to play football and this has been the problem.'

The player is more than happy to move to England and Bravo says the swaying influence was the impact that fellow countryman Ivan Campo has made during the past couple of seasons at the Reebok Stadium.

"At Athletico he has not been playing and he knows he is a good player and wants the chance to show it. He is happy to move to Bolton and play in the Premier League, he knows Bolton and has seen them on the television. Ivan Campo is there and doing well and he has spoken to him about the move.'

Bolton manager Sam Allardyce told local radio station Tower Fm that he was hopeful that the deal to bring the player to Lancashire could be concluded by Monday morning after confirming talks for the ex-Numancia striker would take place this weekend.

"We have sorted it (the contract) out with him verbally and it will be it rubber-stamped on Monday. It is important to have a player like him in our squad." Allardyce said

Meanwhile Allardyce has also targeted Manchester City's out of favour midfielder Eyal Berkovic, who has also interested Portsmouth and told midfielder Gareth Farrelly, currently on loan to Bradford City that he is free to leave the Reebok Stadium should Bolton receive a suitable offer for the former Republic of Ireland and Everton player.