Arsenal are reportedly ‘preparing to battle’ over the availability of Porto’s Hector Herrera who is out of contract in the summer but not really needed by the club.

According to the Mirror, Arsenal are one of a number of clubs who are interested in signing the 28-year-old who enjoyed a strong World Cup in Russia. Real Madrid, PSG, Barcelona, and Roma are also linked with the player just to make sure all bases are covered.

This is far from the first time Arsenal have been linked with a move for the midfielder.

O Jogo reported that Arsenal were interested in him back at the start of July amid rumours that Lyon were hopeful of sealing a €30m deal for the player.

The captain of Porto, where’s he’s played since 2013, Herrera makes more sense for the club as a free transfer than he did as a potential €30m-acquisition in the summer. However, with the arrival of Lucas Torreira and the emergence of Matteo Guendouzi, it still seems a bit of a strange one. Add into the mix Aaron Ramsey, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Mohamed Elney, and Granit Xhaka and you have to ask where he’d fit?