German champions Bayern Munich are targeting Manchester United midfielder Ander Herrera in January, according to German website Sport 1. Pep Guardiola is eyeing the Spanish midfielder as a replacement for skipper Philipp Lahm, who is set to spend at least two and a half months on the sidelines with a fractured ankle.
Guardiola has converted Lahm into a defensive midfielder from a right-back, and sees him as the most intelligent player in the team. The former Barcelona manager is said to be a big fan of his compatriot Herrera, and sees him as just the man to replace his 31 year-old captain.
The tactically astute Guardiola has employed a 3-4-3, or 3-3-3-1 system with Bayern this season, and it has yielded great rewards. He has the option to switch to a 4-1-4-1 formation with Xabi Alonso as the sole defensive midfielder, but it is understood that he wants to get Herrera and continue with three at the back.
Herrera only moved to Manchester United this past summer summer from Athletic Bilbao and has a contract at Old Trafford that runs upto 2018. His release clause is €27 million and Bayern may be ready to offer Swiss winger Xherdan Shaqiri as part of the deal.
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