Catalan newspaper Sport go big with their Thursday front page, with a headline shouting ‘Valverde wants Ander Herrera’.
Ernesto Valverde is set to be the new Barcelona manager.
This is typical Sport, especially as the transfer season gets going. And, as always, it’s what’s inside that usually gives more indication as to what they’re getting at.
Sport say Barcelona are looking for a player to increase the quality of their midfield options. The original idea was to sign a ‘top player, indisputable’ but market prices have put the club off, which has led them to what Sport believe is an opportunity with Ander Herrera.
Crucial for Barcelona is that Herrera has one season left on his Manchester United contract. Sport say whilst his name is ‘on the table’, it remains to be seen whether Barcelona can convince the player not to renew with Manchester United.
Sport talk up Valverde’s relationship with Herrera at Athletic Club Bilbao, which, along with the contract situation, seems to be the entire basis for the story. Conveniently, they ignore that the Herrera and Valverde relationship didn’t always go swimmingly in Bilbao, with each man seeming frustrated with the other more than once.
Sport concede that Barca’s big problem is Manchester United’s will to keep the midfielder, and especially the aims of Jose Mourinho. Only if Herrera refuses to renew do Sport give 
Barcelona any chance of a cut-price deal, which is what they’re looking for.
Even more so than most Sport splashes, this appears to be speculation built on speculation. They don’t even go to the extent of saying agents have been at work, or that Ander Herrera has always wanted to play for Barcelona.
It’s tame, it’s at arm’s length. And whilst it will be hyped beyond reason in the English media, there doesn’t seem an awful lot in this other than the Valverde connection giving inspiration for a story.
Yet.
