Manchester United are keen to offer a new contract to Spanish midfielder Ander Herrera before the start of next season, according to reports.
The central midfielder is constantly linked with Barcelona in recent weeks but it is understood that he is keen to stay at Old Trafford for next season after winning the club’s Player of the season award this year.
Herrera has been linked with a return to Spain as his former manager, Ernesto Valverde is set to take over at Barcelona next season and is keen to have his former player back. The manager was not ready to sell his player to Manchester United in 2014 at Atheltic Bilbao.
However, he feels that he can get Herrera back to Barcelona as the Catalan side are one of the best clubs in the world. Jose Mourinho, on the other hand, has given more responsibility to Herrera this season as he was paired with Pogba in the central midfield.
The Spaniard’s awareness of his position in defensive midfield meant Pogba played more freely towards the second half of the season and have had a great debut season on his return to Premier League and Old Trafford.
According to Daily Telegraph, the 27-year old is keen to stay with Manchester United for the coming years as he is willing to sign a new deal at the club. Herrera currently has one year left on his current contract and the club has an option to extend it by another 12 months.
A new deal will see a huge rise in his wages as he is one of the most important players under Jose Mourinho and the Spaniard is quick to acknowledge the freedom that the Portuguese tactician gave him this season.
“I am very thankful to him,” Herrera said last month. “He gave me, from the first day, a lot of confidence, and he told me I was going to be an important player for him.”
Herrera has played 50 games for Manchester United this season as they fought hard across four competitions and this is undoubtedly his breakout season at the club after a quiet couple of seasons under Louis van Gaal previously.
The player has now become a crowd favourite and it will be only a matter of time before a new long-term contract is signed by the Spanish international.