Real Madrid 'are considering a SHOCK move for Newcastle flop Joselu' following his superb season for Espanyol... with the Spanish giants eyeing up the 33-year-old striker as back-up to Karim Benzema 

Real Madrid are eyeing up a surprise move for Espanyol striker Joselu, according to reports in Spain.

The 33-year-old former Newcastle flop has enjoyed a superb season at Barcelona's city rivals, scoring 16 LaLiga goals in 32 appearances despite the side's relegation to the second tier.

While Real are considering their summer business as they look to bounce back from a disappointing season which saw them finish well adrift of title winners Barca and knocked out of the Champions League by Manchester City.

The Spanish giants are keen to provide cover and competition for veteran forward Karim Benzema, 35, with his current deputy Mariano Diaz set to leave this summer and Alvaro Rodriguez just 18 years old. 

And as reported by Spanish outlet AS, Los Blancos want to bring in a younger striker to develop and an older striker who can deliver at a lower cost - with Joselu lined up for the latter role.

They then suggest Real will go all-in for Paris Saint-Germain's Kylian Mbappe or City superstar Erling Haaland in summer 2024.

Joselu spent two seasons with Real Madrid Castilla, the club's reserve team, from 2010 to 2012, making two appearances for the senior side and scoring twice in just 18 minutes across those games.

Jose Mourinho gave him his first-team debut despite the presence of attackers like Cristiano Ronaldo, Benzema, Kaka, Gonzalo Higuain, Mesut Ozil and Angel Di Maria. 

That stint saw him play alongside current first-team stars Nacho, Dani Carvajal, and the likes of Alvaro Morata and Jese Rodriguez. 

After scoring just four goals in 2015-16 at Stoke, he signed for Newcastle in 2017 but only netted seven times in 52 games in all competitions across his two seasons at St James' Park.

A clause in his Espanyol contract means Joselu's salary will be reduced by half in the second division, and if he receives an offer which offers him the same wages as paid by his current club, they must sell him.

The fact he is one of Espanyol's highest earners may also grease the wheels of a potential move.

Joselu - who scored twice in two minutes on his Spain international debut in March - is said to be far from the only option Real are considering, but is reportedly firmly in the running.