United are aiming to get the deal - which would
see Herrera sign a four-year contract - done by
the end of this month as the buyout clause raises
to £32m after July 1.
Herrera was the lynchpin of Bilbao's midfield last
season as they finished in an impressive fourth
place in La Liga.
He scored five goals in the campaign, but despite
being one of the most impressive performers in
domestic football, he is yet to break in to the Spain
team.
David Moyes was reportedly targeting Herrera, 24,
last summer, but failed to land the central
midfielder. There were bizarre scenes in Spain
when, on transfer deadline, three men claiming to
be representing United tried to negotiate the deal
at the Spanish Football Association headquarters.
The negotiations broke down and it transpired that
United knew nothing about the three men.
But Moyes' successor as Manchester United boss,
Louis van Gaal, looks set to pull off the deal as he
begins rebuilding the squad.
Herrera was born in Bilbao but came through the
ranks at Real Zaragoza before joining his
hometown club in 2011 on a five-year contract.
Sky Sports News reporter James Cooper said: "It
is very, very close. It is a question of when, not if.
It is more likely to be on Wednesday but
Manchester United are very close to making their
first signing of the summer and the first signing
under Louis van Gaal.
"But Manchester United are proving they can go
and get a player. It's a question of 'if at first you
don't succeed, try, try, try again. Last summer
there were some farcical scenes. Manchester
United didn't match the buy-out clause. We saw
the three stooges arrive at the Spanish FA
headquarters - and the whole thing tumbled from
there.
"United have their own lawyers on the case this
time and they have met the buy-out clause. Now
it's a medical and personal terms with the player,
and the beginning of a new era at Manchester
United.
"A £30m fee is a big fee perhaps for a player who
is 24 years old but who has not played for the
Spanish national team. He did play for the Olympic
team in London in 2012. But Manchester United
have started their transfer business - and there will
be plenty more, I promise you that."
Southampton and England left-back Luke Shaw
could be the next target - United have reportedly
upped their offer for him to around £34m.
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