Manchester United Transfer News: Borja Valero Talk Sparks England Return Rumours

Manchester United are reportedly scouting Fiorentina playmaker Borja Valero ahead of a winter move as they look to beef up their creative resources leading into an end-of-season title push.

According to Swiss newspaper Blick, United scout Peter Braund was on hand to watch the 30-year-old in action against Basel last Thursday (h/t Metro's Max Miller), where he made one assist in a 2-2 draw.

Fabrizio Giovannozzi/Associated Press

It has been more than four years since the one-cap Spain international left West Bromwich Albion for Villarreal, where he revived his career before finding his greatest success in Florence, where he moved in 2012.

However, United could have trouble convincing Valero to leave La Viola after he stated his intention to retire at Stadio Artemio Franchi, per Football Italia:

"I want to end my career with Fiorentina. I’m happy here and I have a very long contract. Receiving the applause of the fans is the best thing that can happen to a footballer. We’ve started well this year, and we want to continue like this.”

MaurizioDegl'Innocenti/Associated Press

The attacking midfielder may understandably be apprehensive about talk of a move to England, the setting of his greatest career disappointment, spending several seasons struggling at West Brom following a 2008 move from Mallorca.

That being said, Manchester United may feel confident in their ability to offer the Spaniard a higher standard of football at Old Trafford, where he could expect to significantly improve his title prospects.

It's true that Red Devils manager Louis van Gaal has brought a chunk of youth into his squad, signing Memphis Depay, 21, and Anthony Martial, 19, as well as promoting Jesse Lingard, 22, to first-team duties.

However, Valero would bring a much more seasoned mind to the team, and OptaPaolo highlighted his statistics in the final third as being some of the finest in Serie A earlier this season:

It's also reported that Southampton are interested in a deal for Valero, who turns 31 in January and has three-and-a-half years remaining on his contract with Fiorentina.

Unlikely though it might be that Valero would leave the comfort of Florence he sought after for so long in his career, Manchester United may yet press ahead in their pursuit of the Real Madrid academy graduate.