Manchester United target Ander Herrara has made it clear that he doesn’t want to switch to Old Trafford in the January; rather he is targeting a long term stay in Bilbao.

Central midfield is the key area that new manager David Moyes stressed the need of bolstering in the summer. The Red Devils were linked with several top midfielders time to time, but in the end, Moyes could only land Marouane Fellaini on the transfer deadline day, that too paying slightly over the odd.

It was on the transfer deadline day, they were also close to snapping up a deal for Athletic Bilbao midfielder Ander Herrera. The Basque midfielder has a release clause of €36m but United were unwilling to pay that fee. United though were prepared to pay €30m for him but in the end the deal didn’t materialize.

There were speculations there United might go for him again in the January transfer window. Herrera’s present campaign hasn’t been that smooth as he failed to manage regular games this season.

However, as often with the cases of Basque players, it is hard to out-haggle Bilbao from the negotiation table very easily. Herrera in a recent interview has pledged his commitment again, saying:

“I appreciate both Manchester United’s interest in me and the fact that I am considered so important to Athletic that they did not accept any bid for me.

That means that Athletic values me above money and trust in me more than money for our current project. I’m right where I want to be. I’m not a player who wants to change teams, I’ve taken root at Athletic and it is the perfect place for me to be.”

Further he suggested of a possible contract extension at the club:

“It is not something that I am going to talk about any more, it does not help. I have explained what I have had to. I’m happy here, I have always said that, and will continue with Athletic. Do I then plan to sign an extension Yes.”

If the reports are to be believed, Manchester United scouts have been busy watching several players from Portuguese clubs, like Nemanja Matic and Fernando, while there are even suggestions that Moyes is interested in Atletico Madrid’s promising youngster Koke.