Atletico Madrid to sign Porto captain Hector Herrera on a free transfer (AS)

Atletico Madrid will formalise the signing of Porto captain Hector Herrera this week on a free transfer, report Diario AS.

The central midfielder agreed terms to join Los Rojiblancos in March and since he has now gained Portuguese citizenship, he will not take up one of the three non-EU slots in Atleti’s squad.

Herrera joined the Portuguese champions from Pachuca in 2013 for €11m but is into the final month of his contract at the Estadio Dragao.

It is said that the midfielder is already has already enjoyed a holiday in the Spanish capital and is expected to put pen to paper on a five-year contract with Los Rojiblancos.

Italian club Inter had previously been linked to the Mexican international while Real Madrid were said to be interested in a deal when Julen Lopetegui – who coached him at Porto – was boss earlier this season.

However, it now appears certain that he will be yet another reinforcement for Atleti who completed the signing of his teammate Felipe Monteiro for €20m last month.

The club have also been linked to another Porto star - full-back Alex Telles - as the club look to overhaul their playing squad this summer.

Diego Godin, Juanfran Torres, Antoine Griezmann, Lucas Hernandez and Filipe Luis are among this summer’s expected Atleti departures.

Herrera is expected to be on a long list of summer arrivals for Los Rojiblancos, who are on the lookout for reinforcements.