Manchester United boss David Moyes has explained abandoning a deal for Athletic Bilbao midfielder Ander Herrera last night. The Daily Mail says the decision to make another attempt to sign Herrera was not reached until yesterday morning after Bilbao president Jose Urrutia rejected an initial bid last week.
The situation was complicated by reports that impostors posing as United officials had turned up at Spanish league HQ in Madrid to try to profit from the deal, although agents close to the negotiations disputed this version of events.
Moyes could make a fresh attempt to sign Herrera, 24, in January and the player is known to be keen on a move to Old Trafford after agreeing a five-year deal worth £2.5m a year.
Moyes insisted the move foundered because United were not prepared to meet Bilbao's asking price.
"I really like the player but we thought the buyout was the wrong valuation and we were trying to do a deal," said the United boss.
