Adelaide United’s Spanish influence is tipped to grow after former Real Madrid right winger Miguel Palanca was linked to a move to South Australia.

Rumours have become more pronounced in recent days a Spanish player would be recruited after Reds coach Josep Gombau confirmed the second-placed club was considering an offer for winger Fabio Ferreira.

Those rumours gained more substance when a Spanish website claimed Palanca, who is playing with Numancia in the Spanish second division, was on the verge of signing with United and could appear in the Reds’ shirt as early as Saturday when they meet the Central Coast Mariners in Gosford.

The website quoted Palanca’s father Santi as saying an agreement for his son to play in Australia was close. Santi told the website it was a good opportunity for his son and he wanted to experience football outside Spain.

Palanca is contracted to Numancia until the of the season but the club is not expected to stand in his way to play with Adelaide.

After making his Spanish first division debut in 2007 with Espanol against Seville, Palanca was sold to Real Madrid and he made his first appearance in the powerhouse club’s top side against Barcelona in 2008. He played another two first division matches for Real Madrid.

Palanca has started in 10 of Numancia’s 17 games this season and scored three goals.

Ferreira was left out of United’s squad for the 7-0 belting of Newcastle at Coopers Stadium on Saturday and Gombau admitted exit talks had started for the 25-year old.

The Reds are in transfer discussions with another club and the Mariners are believed to be the frontrunners for his services. A German club has also shown interest in Ferreira for next season.

Red chief executive Michael Petrillo did not return messages.