West Ham Monitoring Atletico Madrid's Hector Herrera Ahead of Summer Rebuild
By David Ford
West Ham United are one of a number of Premier League clubs reportedly interested in Atletico Madrid midfielder Hector Herrera, while a number of first team regulars are expected to depart the London Stadium this summer.
The Hammers are understood to be open to selling any member of the squad this summer as the club prepares for a major rebuild under David Moyes, regardless of what league they find themselves in.
The Independent are reporting that the club have Mexico international Herrera high up their list of targets after missing out on him during the January window. West Ham did make an approach for him, but he opted to stay in Madrid.
They add that they aren't alone in their interest, but haven't named the other clubs looking at Herrera.
Herrera's found first team opportunities limited by injury this season, and has rarely completed a full 90 minutes since the turn of the year. Now, with the financial implications of the coronavirus pandemic set to hurt Atletico, they could sell the 30-year-old.
Herrera joined Atletico last summer transfer window as a free signing from Porto. He made 245 appearances for the Portuguese giants during his six seasons there, joining after an impressive debut campaign at Pachuca in his native Mexico. Herrera also scored 36 goals for Porto, but has only scored once for Atletico since his arrival - a last minute equaliser against Juventus in the Champions League group stage.
A box-to-box midfielder by trade, West Ham would be acquiring the services of a highly experienced player. Herrera also has 74 caps for Mexico to his name, including appearances at two World Cups.
West Ham's interest could hinge on what they do with their current midfield options. They have an option to buy Tomas Soucek who they signed on loan in January, though it is unknown if they will make that move permanent at this time.
Meanwhile, a source has told 90min that Tottenham are ready to rival Chelsea for Hammers midfielder Declan Rice, while they could also offer Eric Dier as a makeweight in any deal.