Herrera prepared to reject Barca move
Ander Herrera will rebuff any advances from Barcelona by committing his future to Manchester United.
Herrera is wanted by Ernesto Valverde, who was appointed Barcelona coach on a two-year deal yesterday and would like to bring the United and Spain midfielder with whom he worked at Athletic Bilbao to the Nou Camp.
But it is understood Herrera has no interest in leaving Old Trafford this summer and wants instead to extend his stay.
The 27-year-old was voted United’s player of the season after an impressive campaign under Jose Mourinho, when he became a key cog in the midfield after a frustrating previous 12 months under Louis van Gaal. Many fans have touted him as a potential successor to Wayne Rooney as captain and he won the man-of-the-match award in last week’s Europa League final triumph over Ajax. His form also earned him his first cap for Spain’s senior team last November, against England at Wembley.
United are expected to start talks over a deal for Herrera before the start of the new season in August.
Herrera has a year left on his contract, with the option of a further 12 months, but is likely to be offered a longer-term extension and any efforts by Barcelona to entice him are likely to be thwarted.
An extremely popular figure at Old Trafford, Herrera is one of those who has raised his game under Mourinho and answered the manager’s wider calls for greater leadership and a stronger mentality among the squad.
Herrera spent his final season at Bilbao working under Valverde before moving to United in a £28.8million deal, but despite his clear admiration for his compatriot, he has no intention of moving.