Rumour: Athletic Bilbao's Ander Herrera to sign for Manchester United

Several reports from Spain are claiming that Athletic Bilbao midfielder Ander Herrera will sign for Manchester United after the English giants agreed to meet his €36 million buy-out clause valuation.

United, then managed by David Moyes had pursued the Spanish midfielder in the last summer transfer window only for the deal to fall through on deadline due to the fake representative fiasco. Instead, Maroune Fellaini was signed for a fee of £27.5 million from Everton.

Herrera, 24, had an excellent season in La Liga notching up 5 assists and 5 goals and was instrumental in getting the Basque club into the UEFA Champions League. It is being said that there is an urgency in negotiations from the United end since the player’s buy-out clause is expected to rise to €40 million on July 1st.

Compatriots David de Gea and Juan Mata are already regulars at Old Trafford as incoming manager Louis van Gaal seeks to restore the lost fear-factor in the Manchester United side after a dismal last season.

The Spanish youngster is already in England to pen a 4-year-deal with wages of €3 million a year with the deal likely to be announced on Tuesday.

Manchester United are already said to be in pursuit of Southampton’s young starlet Luke Shaw and Arsenal captain Thomas Vermaelen.