Moreno to hold talks with Nacional on loan move
Giovanni Moreno was one of Shanghai Greenland Shenhua's most consistent performers in the 2017 season.
Shanghai Greenland Shenhua captain Giovanni Moreno has been given permission to hold talks with Atletico Nacional president and manager on Thursday to decide whether he will join the Colombian club for the next six months and prepare for the World Cup in June.
Nacional posted a statement on its social media account last week, claiming that the 31-year-old midfielder would be “returning home” soon. Greenland Shenhua denied that a deal had been reached, but added that it was up to Moreno to decide on the issue. Shenhua said it will “respect his decision."
With his eyes on the World Cup finals to be held in Russia, Moreno had said previously that he hopes to play elsewhere to maintain his form during the Chinese Super League offseason.
According to Greenland Shenhua, if a loan deal is reached, Nacional will pay the Colombian’s salary for the next six months. It also ruled out any extension of the deal after the World Cup.
Moreno played for Nacional from 2008 to 2010 before joining Argentina's Racing Club. He joined Shenhua in 2012 and has a contract with the Shanghai outfit until the end of 2019.
Moreno's teammates are currently in Marbella, Spain, for a month-long winter training session. The club plans to rope in 25-year-old Paraguayan midfielder Oscar Romero, who is currently playing for Spanish club Deportivo Alaves, on loan, should Moreno decide to head back home.
