Are Newcastle renewing Hector Herrera interest as scouts watch Porto?

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Newcastle United were interested in bringing Porto midfielder Hector Herrera to St. James’ Park back in December 2016.

It has been quite a while since Newcastle United were linked with Porto’s Mexican international midfielder Hector Herrera.

As reported by the Chronicle in December 2016, the Magpies had sent scouts to watch Herrera in action during the Portuguese side’s 5-0 Champions League thrashing of Leicester City at the Dragao.

But with A Bola reporting that Newcastle representatives were in the crowd on Tuesday when Liverpool came to town, the chances are that the Tyneside club are once again keeping a close eye on the dynamic 27-year-old.

Central midfield has been something of a problem position for Newcastle this season. Jonjo Shelvey’s obvious talents have been frequently undermined by inconsistency and question marks over his temperament while Spanish under-21 star Mikel Merino has struggled with injuries of late.

Isaac Hayden, meanwhile, is yet to prove that he belongs in the top tier of English football after a chastening welcome to the Premier League.

But if Herrera was the reason for Newcastle’s trip to the Dragao in midweek, he missed his opportunity to make a positive impression.

He was ran ragged as Liverpool tore through Porto again and again, a Sadio Mane hat-trick inspiring a 5-0 away leg thrashing and the biggest home European defeat in the history of the 2004 Champions League winners.

But Herrera has otherwise enjoyed an impressive season for Porto, helping them to the top of the table as Sergio Conceicao’s men aim to end a five-year trophy drought.

A Bola adds that AC Milan are very interested in the Mexican, however, meaning Newcastle will face competition if they are planning to renew their attempts to bring him to St. James’ Park.