According to a report by Barca Universal on Wednesday November 4, 2026, former Manchester United midfielder Ander Herrera has opened up about Barcelona's previous interest in signing him, revealing that the Spanish giants held discussions with his agent but never made a formal transfer offer.

The 36-year-old midfielder disclosed this during an interview with former Atletico Madrid star Mario Suarez on his podcast, where he discussed the transfer speculation that followed him during different stages of his career.

Herrera, who currently plays for his boyhood club Real Zaragoza, explained that Barcelona were linked with him during his time at Athletic Bilbao and Manchester United.

However, despite the reported interest, the Catalan club never took concrete steps to secure his signature.

According to Herrera, Barcelona held conversations with his representative, although he was not personally involved in those meetings.

"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.

The former Manchester United midfielder further confirmed that Barcelona had discussions with his agent but insisted that no formal proposal was ever presented to him.

Herrera also admitted that representing either Barcelona or Real Madrid would have been a special achievement during his playing career.

"Playing for Real Madrid or FC Barcelona is something that stays with you for the rest of your life," he stated.

However, the Spanish midfielder was quick to clarify that he does not support either of the two Spanish giants, revealing that his loyalty remains with Real Zaragoza.

"I'm not a fan of either of them; I support Real Zaragoza," he added.

Herrera first established himself in Spanish football during his time at Athletic Bilbao before securing a move to Manchester United.

At Old Trafford, he became an important member of the squad and helped the club win the FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Europa League.

He subsequently joined Paris Saint-Germain before returning to Athletic Bilbao for another spell. He also spent time with Argentine club Boca Juniors before joining Real Zaragoza in the summer of 2026.

His latest comments have provided clarity on the long-standing speculation linking him with Barcelona.

Although the Catalan club reportedly explored the possibility of signing him on more than one occasion, the discussions never resulted in an official offer, meaning Herrera never got the opportunity to represent the Spanish champions.