Ander Herrera won’t be leaving Athletic Bilbao for Barcelona, with reports in Spain describing the proposal as ‘impossible.’
AS says Athletic would only let Herrera leave if their hand was forced by Barca meeting the midfielders’ release clause, €36m now and rising to €40m from July 1.
Barca would go no higher than €15m, it’s said, leaving the plan of sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta to replace Cesc Fabregas with Herrera as a non-starter.
Athletic Coach Ernesto Valverde wants to build the team around Herrera and Ander Iturraspe, while Vicente Del Bosque has told Herrera that playing in the Champions League with Athletic will help his chances of getting in the Spain squad.
Athletic want to extend Herrera’s contract while the proposed move to Manchester United won’t go ahead either.
The club’s President, Josu Urrutia, faces a re-election campaign next year and wants Herrera tied down before the vote is held.
