Southampton: West Ham bid for Saints target Yangel Herrera | OneFootball

Southampton’s hopes of signing Yangel Herrera this summer have taken a blow after it was reported that West Ham have submitted a bid for the Manchester City midfielder.

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It was reported earlier in the summer transfer window that Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side, along with West Ham and Leeds United, were interested in signing the 23-year-old after his impressive performances on loan with Granada in recent seasons.

Manchester City reportedly want £20m for the Venezuela international as they look to raise transfer funds, which may put him out of the Saints’ transfer range as Hasenhuttl suggested ahead of the transfer window that they would target players for £10m or less this summer.

Should Southampton be trying for Herrera?

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However, City’s asking price has seemingly not deterred West Ham, with talkSPORT suggesting recently that they have submitted an official bid for the industrious midfielder, which suggests that he could soon be on his way to the London Stadium.

Should Southampton be trying to sign Herrera?

Central midfield is arguably an area in which Southampton need to strengthen ahead of next season, as they looked vulnerable there last term when Oriol Romeu was out of the team, with Ibrahima Diallo struggling to replicate the Spaniard’s performances alongside James Ward-Prowse.

Stuart Armstrong featured there on occasion but he looks at his best out on the right-hand side and doesn’t possess the defensive mindset of someone like Romeu or Diallo, who usually allow Ward-Prowse to push forward and get involved in the attack.

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Therefore, you could argue that an all-action midfielder such as Herrera would be an excellent addition to Southampton’s squad ahead of next season, as he would offer them a different option in the midfield whilst also taking some of the pressure off youngsters such as Diallo and Will Smallbone.

The former New York City FC loanee earned rave reviews for his performances in Spain with Granada and posted their fourth-highest WhoScored rating for 2020/21, with commentator Andy West singing his praises last season.

He said: “You have to be incredibly fit to play the style he does – Thursday and Sunday every week – without dropping your standards. And he has done that, it is something that has stood out.

“He has been one of their most important players.”

Therefore, he could definitely be a great option for Hasenhuttl to have next season, and if the Saints are truly interested in him, Martin Semmens will have to act quickly to bring him to St Mary’s following the news that West Ham have made an approach for the 23-year-old.

In other news… Semmens heading for Saints transfer disaster with £17m shocker, fans will be fuming