The Leeds United manager wants to keep Hernandez at Elland Road beyond the end of his current deal.
Paul Heckingbottom has conceded that getting Pablo Hernandez to sign a new deal at Leeds United will not be easy.
Hernandez is out of contract at the end of this season, and is said to have attracted interest from other clubs including Birmingham City – who are managed by his former boss Garry Monk.
The former Spain international has been one of the few positives in a disappointing campaign for Leeds, contributing directly to 12 goals in 34 Championship outings.
And speaking to BBC Radio Leeds on Wednesday, Heckingbottom confirmed his desire to keep Hernandez on board next season. However, the Whites boss seemed far from confident of his side’s chances.
“I’ve had a good chat with Pablo, about the football, himself, how I see him, the value that I think he adds to the squad and sort of capture his heart if you like,” Heckingbottom said. “Pablo’s had a great career and there’s more important things to Pablo than the finances – contract length, yes, would be one.
“But there’s other things as well – his role within the team, his role within the squad, the type of football we want to play, his affection for the club. He always speaks highly of the club, the fans, Elland Road, and he wants to know the plans and what we want to do for next season.
“Pablo’s at the stage of his career where there’s a lot more to it than just a contract offer on the table. He wants to be excited about the last few years of his career and hopefully we can get him excited and we can keep him.”
Hernandez signed an initial six-month contract with Leeds in January 2017, following a successful loan spell, and extended that by a year last summer.
And another 12-month offer looks the most likely for the former Valencia player, who turns 33 in April.
Will Hernandez sign up at Leeds?
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