According to a recent report from Metro, Manchester United are ready to listen to offers for Ander Herrera. The Spaniard is tipped to leave the club in the January transfer window after failing to establish himself as a regular fixture in the United first team under Jose Mourinho.
Herrera’s current contract with the Red Devils expires at the end of the season and therefore, they are keen to get rid of him in January, despite the player’s initial wish to prolong his stint with the club. It is believed that Herrera is now considering a move away from Old Trafford and here, we will discuss three potential destinations for this highly talented midfielder.
Everton
Ander Herrera would be an ideal signing for Everton given the fact that they have already lost the likes of Davy Klassen and Ross Barkley this year. As a result, the Toffees evidently lack creative force in the final third with an out of sorts Gylfi Sigurdsson being their primary source of creativity at the moment.
Thus, Herrera could add much-needed depth in midfield. The former Athletic Bilbao star is adept in operating as an attack-minded midfielder, whose creativity and vision will surely aid the Merseyside giants in the final third.
Furthermore, the 29-year-old has garnered an ample amount of experience in the English top flight and could ideally thrive under the leadership of Marco Silva, especially with the likes of Richarlison and Theo Walcott supporting him in advanced positions.
Silva can utilize Herrera as a number eight in midfield, who will partner Idrissa Gueye in his preferred 4-2-3-1 shape. The Manchester United star could work as a catalyst for Everton’s attacks whilst his all-round qualities will also make him a viable partner for Gueye.
Southampton
FC Southampton are another club in desperate need of a creative midfielder, largely due to the lack of consistency from their current crop of players. Indeed, the likes of Oriol Romeu, Mario Lemina, and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg have appeared very topsy-turvy as far as their form is concerned, which, in turn, has left Southampton dawdling in twelfth position with just four points on board.
Therefore, coach Mark Hughes could certainly use the creativity and vigour of Ander Herrera to refine his side’s dynamics in midfield, especially after the departure of Sofiane Boufal. Though it could be difficult for Hughes to accommodate Herrera into his 4-4-2 shape providing Lemina will be an assured started throughout the course of this season, reverting to a 4-2-3-1 could definitely make sense.
Herrera can be deployed as a number eight alongside a more hard-working Romeu with Lemina operating further forward as a number ten. Though this will significantly reduce the first team involvements for star player James Ward-Prowse, the wide duo of Mohamed Elyounoussi and Nathan Redmond could make huge waves this season should Herrera plays to his full potential.
West Ham United
Ander Herrera will be a perfect signing for West Ham United for a number of reasons. First of which, is the simple fact that the Hammers have lacked the presence of a creative force for a long time now with Manuel Lanzini still out injured. As a result, the London giants have appeared overreliant on Austrian superstar Marco Arnautovic.
Although West Ham already boasts the services of Jack Wilshere, the former Arsenal superstar has struggled to make his presence felt this season. And, it is unlikely that he will anytime soon, given his undefined role at his new club. Thus, Herrera could be a viable target.