Representatives from Town and Rangers and Wigan boss Roberto Martinez will be at Sunday’s Spanish second division game between Cartagena and Rayo Vallecano to run the rule over home striker Toché, according to reports in Spain. The 28-year-old is out of contract in the summer and is attracting interest from both Spanish clubs and those from overseas.
Former Spain U16 and U20 international Toché began his career Atlético Madrid, making his debut for their B side in 2002/03 and scoring an impressive 32 goals in 71 league games in two years. The Santomera-born frontman made two La Liga appearances for Atlético’s senior side in 2003/04 but failed to score.
Toché’s career rather drifted after he had showed such early potential with injuries hampering him throughout loan spells at Numancia, as they were relegated from La Liga in 2004/05, then in the Segunda División with Hércules and Real Valladolid in the following two seasons.
The 5ft 10½ tall striker returned to Numancia on a permanent basis in 2006 and was in the squad which saw them climb back into the top flight but with Toché, known more formally as José Verdú Nicolás, scoring only three goals in 12 league games.
Having played only 45 minutes for Numancia in La Liga the following season, Toché moved on to Albacete in December 2008, netting five goals in 24 games before joining Cartagena in the summer of 2009.
The switch has seen a return of his early promise with his first season yielding 20 goals in 40 league games, plus two in two in the Copa del Rey.
This term, despite a spell out injured and time playing in a wide role, he has netted 15 in 32 in the league with two games remaining, and another one in one Copa del Rey tie.
In addition to Town, Rangers and Wigan, Spanish sides AlmerÃa, Celta Vigo and Levante have all been linked, while Birmingham City and German side Werder Bremen were claimed to be interested parties in December.
The Cartagena squad also includes midfielder Iñaki Muñoz, who had a trial at Town in April 2009, while one-time Bolton winger or striker Mustapha Riga, linked with the Blues when a Levante player during 2008, recently joined the Murcian club.
Meanwhile, Portsmouth are reported to have been one of the clubs to have missed out on signing Town central defender Gareth McAuley, who joined West Brom earlier in the week.
Pompey are still being linked with exiting Blues skipper David Norris, who is also believed to interest Hull City, Nottingham Forest, Leeds United and Wigan.