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After missing out on an Ander Herrera on deadline day last summer, Manchester United look set to go one step further this summer and secure the signature of the highly-rated Athletic Bilbao midfielder.

The Red Devils are close to landing Herrera in a £28.8million move which would make him the first arrival at Old Trafford since Louis van Gaal took over as manager.

United hope to get the deal done within the next 48 hours, with Basque-based star's buy-out clause set to rise at the end of the month.

But who is Ander Herrera and why do Bilbao fans rate him so highly? Here are five things you need to know about United's imminent arrival...

Hometown hero

Born in the Basque city of Bilbao in 1989, Herrera initially started his playing career at Real Zaragoza in 2004.

He made his Spanish top-flight debut in August 2009 before moving back to Bilbao in the summer of 2011, where he signed a five-year deal.

He has, however, stated his desire to leave the nation and join Manchester United.

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Young international prodigy

Despite not being able to break into Spain's world-dominating senior squad, Herrera is one of the most accomplished players to represent the country on the younger stages.

He has made 20 appearances across Spain's under-20, under-21 and under-23 teams, scoring seven international goals in the process.

He scored a vital header in the final of the under-21 European Championships in 2011, but now 24 years old, he has failed to springboard his way into the full national side.

(Image: Getty)

Shots, shots, shots...

Herrera does not shy away from having a go at goal. He has gained a reputation in Spain for not being afraid to have a pop when he gets within range.

He averaged over two shots a game last season for Bilbao, more than most midfielders in La Liga. He ended the season with five goals and five assists.

The midfielder boasts an 80% pass completion rate, which may need to be improved if he wants to succeed under strict leader Van Gaal.

Not afraid to leave his foot in

With four red cards to his name in his young career, Herrera has proved that he can turn into a tough-tackling rock in the centre of the park.

The English game is traditionally far more physical than the Spanish one, so this may stand the Basque-star in good stead.

He picks up a yellow card on average in one in every three and a half games.

Following in his father's footsteps

Ander's father, Pedro Maria Herrera, was also a coveted Spanish top-flight footballer, making over 200 career appearances.

He was most notable for his time at Real Zaragoza in between 1982 and 1988, where he scored 18 goals in 155 appearances from the centre of midfield.

Pedro Maria still has an involvement in the game and has worked as general manager at both Zaragoza and Celta Vigo.

Manchester United's summer transfer targets: