Deadline Day: Manchester United fail to land Athletic Bilbao's Ander Herrera

Ander Herrera’s transfer to Manchester United broke down after a technicality in Spanish tax law forced United to re-negotiate with little time left. (Getty Images)

Manchester United failed in their pursuit of Athletic Bilbao midfielder Ander Herrera as the deal fell through late on transfer deadline day.

United had agreed to pay the midfielder’s €36 million release clause but technical issues with Spanish tax laws left the Red Devils battling to re-negotiate as the transfer deadline approached.

The figure that United missed out by is believed to be around €6 million.

The Manchester club had agreed personal terms with the player including kit number, with Herrera even willing to lower his wage demands to join the English champions but the red tape resulted in United losing out.

It remains to be seen if they return with a second bid for the midfielder in January after they signed Marouane Fellaini from Everton just before the deadline. 

Some sources are also reporting that three ‘imposters’ falsely represented United and interfered with the deal when they met with Bilbao officials to iron out the details of the transfer.