The problem is we have been massively overpaying our players for some time now, even the underperforming ones got improved contracts so it's natural that Herrera wants top wages, but just because we gave other player stupid wages it doesn't mean we should continue this way.
We have the third highest wage bill in europe just after Barcelona and Real Madrid, and we don't even have a top 5 squad. Comfortably teams like Juve, PSG, City, Liverpool have a better squad than us, and other debatable ones in Atletico, Chelsea, Tottenham, etc
Herrera is a fan favorite, including me, but he is not a world class player and he is asking for world class wages. He wouldn't start at Barcelona, Madrid, Juve, PSG or City and he is asking for a $200,000 a week?
Answer yourselves, if Herrera was in another team would we be highly interested in him?
We have to start paying players according to their contribution, it's sad to see how we pay so much for average players and how other teams are able to get top top talent for less.
As comparison:
- Marcos Rojo $80,000 week earns more than Umttiti ($75,000) and Chiellini ($75,000).
- Fred $120,000 week earns more than Casemiro ($90,000) and same as Gundogan, Pjanic and Matuidi.
- Mata $140,000 week earns more than Isco, Bernardo Silva and Dybala (all on $120,000).
- Young and Valencia $100,000 week earn more than Meunier ($60,000) and Cancelo ($80,000) and same as Walker, Carvajal and Jordi Alba.
- Martial $250 week earns a lot more than Sane ($90,000), Bernardeschi ($65,000), Marco Asensio ($90,000).
If we were to sign Herrera for $200,000 he would earn more than Busquets, Vidal, Rakitic, Casemiro, Isco, Fernandinho, Sterling, Gundogan, Sane, Veratti, Pjanic, Matuidi, Dybala, and the same as Kroos and David Silva.
All people saying we should pay Herrera, must be mental.