Former Manchester United midfielder breaks silence on past Barcelona links: ‘There were talks but never an offer’

Former Manchester United midfielder breaks silence on past Barcelona links: ‘There were talks but never an offer’ Former Manchester United and PSG midfielder Ander Herrera has revealed that Barcelona explored the possibility of signing him on multiple occasions, but never made an offer. In an interview with former Atletico Madrid star Mario Suarez on his podcast, Herrera, who currently plays for Real Zaragoza, stated that Barça had held conversations with his representative, but that never materialised into an offer. Herrera could have been a Barcelona player Herrera first burst into prominence during his time at Athletic Club before securing a transfer to Manchester United. Since then, he has gone on to play for PSG, returned for another stint at Athletic, spent time with Boca Juniors in Argentina before signing for his boyhood club Real Zaragoza this past summer. Now, Herrera has opened up on the transfer speculation that linked him Barcelona during multiple stages of his career, confirming that the interest was there, but it never transformed into an offer. Ander Herrera could have been a Barcelona player. (Photo by Marcelo Endelli/Getty Images) “There’s been a lot of speculation over the years – there was talk when I was at Athletic Bilbao, and there was talk when I was at Manchester United – but it’s true that there’s never actually been an offer,” he said, as quoted by SPORT . Continuing, Herrera confirmed that the current La Liga champions “did have discussions with my agent, but I wasn’t present at those meetings.” However, he wanted to make it clear that there was never “a formal offer on the table.” Herrera would have liked to play for Barcelona or Real Madrid When Suarez asked whether he would have liked to play for Barcelona, Herrera acknowledged the significance of representing either the Blaugrana or Real Madrid, Spain’s two biggest clubs. “Playing for Real Madrid or FC Barcelona is something that stays with you for the rest of your life,” he stated. Barcelona held talks with Herrera’s agent but never made an offer. (Photo by Rodrigo Valle/Getty Images) However, he clarified: “I’m not a fan of either of them; I support Real Zaragoza.” Barcelona, over the years, have been blessed with talented midfielders. So, there will be a sense of intrigue as to how a player like Herrera would have fit into the club’s system and tactical setup. The fact that there were conversations between the club and the player’s representative suggests that the interest might have been very genuine. Ultimately, though, it never translated into a formal offer.