Athletic Bilbao
midfielder Ander Herrera has said he is "grateful" to hear of interest
from Manchester United, but insists he is happy at the La Liga club.
United
had been prepared to trigger the €36million buy-out clause in Herrera's
contract on transfer deadline day last summer, but the deal was
affected by "bureaucratic" problems just hours before the window closed
on September 2nd.
The Red Devils, who went on
to buy Marouane Fellaini on deadline day from Everton, were again linked
with Herrera during the January transfer window before breaking the
bank to sign Juan Mata from Chelsea for a club record £37.1million.
"I made it clear at the time," Herrera told El Confidencial.
"I am grateful to United for their interest and to Athletic for considering me to be more valuable than money.
"Athletic
have made it clear that they have no intention of selling. We are a
solid club with a good economic standing. We are privileged.
"We are stable financially, well respected, have a new stadium and a great team - no Athletic players want to leave."