Transfer news: Manchester United near deal for Athletic Bilbao's Ander Herrera Manchester United could be about to beef up their midfield options, with the club reportedly on the verge of a deal to sign Athletic Bilbao's Ander Herrera. The 24-year-old Spaniard was omitted from the squad for Bilbao's 3-1 defeat to Real Madrid yesterday, and today Sky Sports' Spanish football pundit Guillem Balague tweeted: "United have offered 36 (million euros) for Herrera." He followed that with: "Herrera will have to pass medical and United pay it all in cash but deal practically done." Such a bid would activate a €36 million release clause in the highly-rated player's contract. According to MailOnline, Herrera will have to take a pay cut to push the deal through, signing a five-year contract on £64,000 a week. Yesterday Bilbao coach Ernesto Valverde said he not expect to lose his star player. He said: "I'm not thinking about speaking to him (Herrera) to convince him about anything and I'm not worried about anything else.