According to a recent report from Goal, Alberto Moreno could be set for a move away in the near future. The left back currently plays his football at Premier League side Liverpool and has done so since 2014, although he has slowly but surely been pushed out of first team reckoning in recent times by the brilliant Andrew Robertson.

And reports suggest that the four-times Spain international is no closer to agreeing a contract extension beyond the expiration of his current one at the end of the season, thus leaving him available on a free transfer come the summer, or potentially a cut-price deal in January.

And Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley and manager Rafa Benitez should be very interested in these recent reports, as the former could help the latter solve a key problem in his Magpies squad by luring the linked-away Moreno to St James’ Park.

The Breakdown

Ultimately, the full back department is one area of the Newcastle squad which appears to be lacking in genuine quality - the likes of Paul Dummett and DeAndre Yedlin are solid Premier League players, but not really anything more than that.

Add in the likes of Javier Manquillo and Achraf Lazaar, and it’s clear that further strength and quality is needed in those ranks if Benitez is to indeed take the Magpies forward, and perhaps improve upon their tenth place finish in the top-flight last season.

And while Moreno hasn’t always shone during his time at Liverpool, there is little doubting that the Spaniard would be an upgrade on the current full back options, not least fellow left backs Dummett and Lazaar.

The 26-year-old was a regular feature under ex-Reds boss Brendan Rodgers upon arrival at Anfield back in 2014, appearing 28 times in his first season in 2014/15 before adding four more to his tally to finish the 2015/16 campaign with 32 Premier League appearances to his name.

Yet the arrival of Jurgen Klopp saw the Spaniard fall away somewhat, to the point that midfielder James Milner filled in at left back instead of Moreno for much of the 2016/17 season, only for the latter to fight and win back his place in the early stages of the 2017/18.

Thus, the fact that he has continued to be in and around the first team picture at Anfield underlines that Moreno does indeed have the quality needed to succeed in the Premier League - he does have some defensive vulnerabilities, but he’s also very good going forward.

And in a Newcastle side that sometimes struggles for dynamism from the full backs, and overall are in need of further quality to pull themselves away from the relegation mire, a cut-price deal for Moreno in January should be of interest to manager Benitez, and indeed owner Ashley.

As such, the latter must seek to help the former solve a key problem in his Newcastle squad by luring Moreno away from Anfield come the New Year.

Newcastle fans… what do you think? Let us know!