One year on, United to sign £29m Herrera
MANCHESTER United are today expected to confirm £29m Athletic Bilbao midfielder Ander Herrera as the first signing of the Louis van Gaal era.
United are believed to have agreed to meet his buyout fee of €36m before it was due to increase to €40m (£32m) at the end of the month. Herrera’s signing comes almost a year after the club’s farcical failed pursuit of the 24-year-old, and as Holland boss Van Gaal prepares to formally take charge following the World Cup.
Former United and England defender Rio Ferdinand is set to join recently promoted Queens Park Rangers, while left-back Alex Buttner has left Old Trafford for Dynamo Moscow.
Arsenal have waived the right to re-sign Mexico forward Carlos Vela from Real Sociedad for a knock-down fee after the Spanish club agreed to pay £9m up front plus a further £4m in possible add-ons.