Ander Herrera Gave Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur Cold Shoulder Over Potential Transfer

Saturday, 15th September, 2012

Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur were given the cold shoulder by Athletic Bilbao star Ander Herrera, according to Spanish daily AS.

Both Premier League giants were targeting a move for Herrera at the end of last season and were prepared to pay between €15M and €20M to sign the 23-year-old.

But the midfielder, who was born in Bilbao and only landed at the San Mames in 2011, was unwilling to even consider the prospect of leaving the Basque giants, with an extended stay the only thing on his mind.

And Athletic Bilbao were clear that any club wanting to buy Herrera would have to pay his buy-out clause of €36M, well beyond the amount Liverpool or Tottenham Hotspur were eyeing splashing out for the Spaniard.

Athletic Bilbao further strengthened their reputation as tough negotiators this summer, when forcing Bayern Munich to meet Javi Martinez’ release clause of €40M, in order to take the Spain defensive midfielder to the Allianz Arena.

Herrera is currently out injured and Athletic Bilbao have been criticised by sections of the club’s fans for allegedly mismanaging the midfielder’s groin problem.

However, the 23-year-old could not be happier at the San Mames and is believed to be on target to return to action by the end of next month.

Herrera is under contract with Athletic Bilbao until 2016.