Tottenham Hotspur were rumoured to be competing with La Liga giants Real Madrid for Porto’s Mexico midfielder Hector Herrera.
Did Tottenham Hotspur just suffer an off-day in their 2-1 home defeat to Liverpool on Saturday? Or did a worryingly poor display in front of their home supporters highlight the need for a new, commanding central midfielder?
Mousa Dembele has been far from his best so far in 2018/19 and it seems only a matter of time before he bids farewell, while doubts persist about whether Eric Dier’s best position is in midfield or defence.
So Hector Herrera, who Calciomercato claim is a target for Spurs in 2019, could be the man Mauricio Pochettino needs to freshen up his side.
The 28-year-old has had a brilliant year, captaining Porto to the Primeira Liga title before starring at the World Cup with Mexico.
Fortunately for Spurs, Real Madrid manager Julen Lopetegui has played down suggestions that the Premier League side could face competition from the current Champions of Europe.
Sport claimed that Lopetegui, who managed Porto in 2014/15, had met with Herrera to discuss a move to the Bernabau during his recent trip to Portugal. But the former Spain boss has now rubbished those suggestions.
“The Hector Herrera rumours are just an invention,” Lopetegui told Goal. “I wasn’t in Porto, I did go with my family on holidays, but I didn’t meet Hector.”
Herrera is due to become a free agent next summer but, if Tottenham want to sign him in January, they will have to pay every penny of his £36 million release clause, according to Record.
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