Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
Man Utd set to announce Ander Herrera signing after activating star's £28m release clause
MANCHESTER UNITED have paid a £28m buy-out clause to sign Athletic Bilbao's midfield maestro Ander Herrera.
Spanish radio station Cadena Ser claimed late last night that United have struck a deal with the Basque side to bring the 24-year-old to Old Trafford.
Herrera has repeatedly been linked with a move to the 13-time Premier League champions, and it now appears their ambitions to land the Spaniard have been realised.
United chiefs were keen to act fast to avoid an increase in the midfielder’s buy-out clause, which is set to rise to £31m on 1st July.
Herrera's current contract is set to expire in the summer of 2015.
The former Spanish under-23 international enjoyed a productive season with Bilbao - netting five goals with a further five assists to boot.
And despite being the lynchpin of a side who secured an impressive fourth-place finish in La Liga last season - manager Ernesto Valverde has no option but to cash-in on his prized asset.
Herrera has yet to break into the highly competitive Spanish first-team, however a move to European giants United may provide the edge needed to force himself into Vicente del Bosque's flagging side.