Barcelona are reportedly set to table a €50 million bid for Hector Herrera, who was earlier targeted by Real Madrid.
According to a report published by Don Balon, Barcelona are set to pursue €50 million rated Hector Herrera from Porto, amid a midfield overhaul at the Catalan club. The speculative report adds that the Mexican international was earlier a target of newly appointed Los Blancos manager Julen Lopetegui.
Herrera was one of the stars at the World Cup for Mexico this summer, with the player playing a major in his side’s campaign and playing a vital part in the victory against mighty Germany. However, El Tri were eventually lost out to Brazil in the round of 16 round.
Moreover, the 28-year-old midfielder had a standout season with Porto as he bagged 3 goals and 4 assists in 29 appearances in the league, which contributed in his club’s triumph of the Primeira Liga 2018. Thus, his recent exhibits for Porto and Mexico piqued the interest of Barcelona.
Ernesto Valverde is set for a squad overhaul, as he aims to create a solid Barcelona squad that will be able to become genuine Champions League contenders next season.
But, the Catalans have already lost the services of Andres Iniesta, who joined Vissel Kobe and Paulinho, who returned to Guangzhou Evergrande. Additionally, Ivan Rakitic is also being heavily linked with a move away from Barcelona, and with the likes of Denis Suarez and Andre Gomes failing to impress much, it makes Herrera a viable target for the Blaugranas this summer.
Arthur has arrived and is likely to be one of the starters. But, the addition of a polished and experienced star like Herrera will aid Barcelona’s cause to compete for and bag the top silverware once again in Spain.
One huge surprise in the report from Don Balon is that Real Madrid’s newly appointed manager Julen Lopetegui requested for the services of Mexican star, when he arrived at the Spanish club. But, to Lopetegui’s surprise, President Florentino Perez refused to pursue the player after unsatisfactory reports from scouts, which eventually eliminates any competition from Barcelona’s fierce rivals in their capture of the Mexican international.
Herrera would be a brilliant signing for Barcelona to inject some experience after Andres Iniesta’s departure, especially if Rakitic ends up leaving as well. Even though the €50 million price tag is a tad too steep for the 28-year-old, but his links to various other clubs is stimulating the Catalan giants to finish this transfer affair soon.
