Ander Herrera will turn down the chance to reunite with new Barcelona head coach Ernesto Valverde as he eyes a long-term Manchester United career, reports The Daily Telegraph.
The Spain international has enjoyed his best season to date at United following his £28.8m move from Athletic Club in 2014 and was named the 2016/17 Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year at the club’s end of season awards ceremony.
Herrera worked with Valverde at Athletic Club and reports have emerged suggesting the new Barcelona head coach wants to make the central midfielder one of his first signings at the Camp Nou, but Herrera has no interest in leaving United.
The 27-year-old only has 12 months remaining on his current United deal, although there is an option to extend that by a further year, but Jose Mourinho’s side are expected to reward Herrera with a new long-term deal following his outstanding campaign and also to end any interest from the Spanish giants.
Herrera struggled to establish himself as a first-team regular under Louis van Gaal during his first two years at Old Trafford but he has been such an immense player under Mourinho this season that there have even been strong calls for the Spaniard to be made captain for next year.
Only six players completed more tackles and interceptions in the Premier League this season than Herrera (165), while only Luis Neto of Zenit (81.3) and Roma’s Kevin Strootman (79.1) averaged more passes per game in this season’s Europa League than the United ace (77.4).
For more stats on Ander Herrera, click here to visit his WhoScored player page
