Who is Sheffield United target Loren Morón? We asked a Spanish football expert for more insight into the Blades-linked goal machine

We caught up with 90min's Spanish football expert Andrew Headspeath, who gave us some further insight into the Blades-linked striker...

- How genuine do you think Sheffield United's interest could be?

I don’t know to be honest. But the fact that it’s coming from local reports in Spain rather than one of the English tabloids suggests there’s something to it. He’s a player that’s caught several recruiting departments eyes over the last few months, with even Barcelona thought to be watching.

- What could Morón bring the Blades that their existing attacking options don't already provide?

Goals. Obviously, Sheffield United have been brilliant defensively but lack that reliable presence up top to put the ball away. He is accustomed to playing on the counter, in a team that has to make the most of having fewer chances in a game.

- Last summer, the Blades were rumoured to have made a €25m bid, is that a fair valuation?

Definitely. Although with Real Betis likely fighting off the possibility of an embarrassing relegation battle, it’s highly unlikely the would sell for anything other than the full €40m mid-season. The risk from United’s perspective is whether he would settle quickly in Sheffield. Born in Marbella, he has never played outside of sunny Andalusia let alone Spain.

It’s underestimated just how much of change it is for Spanish players who often move to England with a lower level of English and less experience of colder climates and more aggressive football. See also: Sandro Ramirez, Iago Aspas, Borja Bastion, Juanmi and Soldado in recent years…

- Is he at his peak, or is there still more to come?

It’s hard to say really. He’s been getting better with every season in Spain, but the next few months will determine whether his recent form (eight goals in 12) is just a purple patch or a true measure of his ability.

- Is there a Premier League striker, past or present, he reminds you of?

In terms of career trajectory, Jamie Vardy. Morón’s journey to the top has been unusual for an elite footballer. He hadn’t played top level until he was 24 but has hit the ground running in La Liga and seems unperturbed by the step up.

He also has the instinctual, one-touch finishing quality of Vardy but not quite the raw pace (although he is quick in his own right). He likes to play on the last man, has great movement, is good technically and is not averse to a nutmeg or a dinked finish.