Iago Herrerin has handed in a transfer request at Athletic Bilbao as the alleged Crystal Palace and West Ham United target looks to force a move away, as reported by Marca.
Fortunately for one of the most experienced goalkeepers in La Liga, the Basque giants will not stand in his way.
Athletic coach Gaizka Garitano has already confirmed that Herrerin is free to leave after falling behind Unai Simon, the best Spanish shot-stopper in the game at present, within the walls of San Mames.
“He wants a new destination and that is why we hope something will soon be agreed for him to be able to leave Athletic,” Garitano told El Desmarque.
AS even suggested last week that Herrerin could be allowed to leave for free. Athletic are willing to terminate the final year of his contract as a goodwill gesture towards a man who has been a loyal servant during 15 years at the club.
This is no messy divorce; more a mutual parting of the ways.
Crystal Palace are interested, as are West Ham and an Everton side lacking any real competition for the increasingly erratic Jordan Pickford between the sticks (Deia).
The chances of Herrerin arriving at Goodison Park look slim, however, after Carlo Ancelotti suggested that the Toffees would not look to bring in a new goalkeeper before next week’s transfer deadline (Liverpool Echo).
At the age of 32, and having spent last season warming the bench, Herrerin wants regular first-team football as he enters the autumn of his career.
It seems unlikely that he would find that in London, however, with Vicente Guaita and Lukasz Fabianski firmly established as first choice at Crystal Palace and West Ham respectively.
West Ham’s record transfers
- Sebastien Haller
£45 million
- Felipe Anderson
£41.5 million
- Marko Arnautovic
£25 million
- Pablo Fornals
£24 million
- Issa Diop
£22 million
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