Man Utd set to announce Ander Herrera signing after activating star's £28m release clause #TheElitePartyInJuly #Entertain9jar via @myentertain9jar

MANCHESTER UNITED have paid a £28m buy-out clause to sign Athletic Bilbao's midfield maestro Ander Herrera.

 

Ander Herrera currently plays for Athletic Bilbao in La Liga[GETTY]

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.

Herrera netted five goals for Bilbao last season [GETTY]

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.