Athletic Bilbao have released a statement claiming they have rejected a €36m (£28.85m) bid for Ander Herrera from Manchester United.

The statement read: “The Athletic Club wishes to report that this week it rejected an offer from Manchester United FC, estimated at €36m, to transfer the federation and economic rights of the player Ander Herrera.”

It is believed that the 24-year-old midfielder’s contract contains a clause that would see any potential fee increase at the end of this month.

Herrera would become the first new signing United have made since they confirmed Louis van Gaal – currently in charge of the Holland national team at the World Cup – as the permanent successor to David Moyes, who was sacked in April.

Moyes’s attempts to secure Herrera’s services last summer descended into farce on transfer deadline day.