NYCFC may have found its goal-scoring answer in Croatia

Is Heber New York City FC’s goal-scoring savior?

After the club decided to start its season without a natural forward, and since has endured an early-season scoring drought, HNK Rijeka forward Heber Araujo dos Santos is indeed a target and is taking a medical in Manchester ahead of a possible transfer, according to sources.

HNK Rijeka, a Croatian club, confirmed to The Post that Heber had left Rijeka on Monday for a medical in Manchester. It was first reported by outlet Novi List.

The details of the transfer remain unknown, but Heber is expected to be acquired using targeted allocation money.

Several Croatian media outlets first reported the possible transfer last week. Though some reported a battle between NYCFC and the Red Bulls for Heber’s signing, he was not a Red Bulls target.

Coach Domenec Torrent has said for over a month that NYCFC was trying to add a natural scorer, specifically targeting a No. 9 option. After the 0-0 draw against DC United on March 10, Torrent said it has become a club priority to add an attacking option before the transfer window closes May 7.

NYCFC had targeted former LA Galaxy forward Ola Kamara, but the Norwegian international opted for China.

Heber, 27, has experience in the Europa League and Champions League qualifying with Rijeka, where he was the team’s leading scorer the last two seasons in Croatia’s top league. He had nine goals this year, but has been out injured since December. He’s an athletic goal-scorer with the ability to play on the left wing. Heber previously played in Armenia and Brazil.

NYCFC has yet to solve their striker problem since David Villa departed the club in December. Historically, NYCFC has never targeted a successful striker, aside from Villa, since its inception in 2015. Options like Adam Nemec, Sean Okoli and most recently Jo Inge Berget were massive letdowns, and all weren’t part of the club a year after signing.

NYCFC is averaging just one point per game through three games this season.