Manchester United ace Ander Herrera ‘would be Athletic Bilbao’s highest earner if he returns’

ATHLETIC BILBAO would break the bank and make Ander Herrera their highest earner to secure his return, according to reports in Spain.

The Manchester United midfielder, 28, has seen £52million Brazil ace Fred jump ahead of him in the pecking order.

And AS claim Bilbao are prepared to offer their former star a bucketload of cash to try and tempt him back.

Herrera was United's player of the season in 2017 but has seen his influence dwindle since Nemanja Matic and Paul Pogba arrived at Old Trafford.

And after Jose Mourinho landed Fred, his situation is unlikely to improve next season.

Herrera is out of contract next summer but would still stretch the La Liga outfit's coffers to the brink if they were to be able to fund a deal.

And Mourinho could be happy to keep Herrera as cover, especially with Michael Carrick retiring and Marouane Fellaini set to leave.

The Portuguese missed out on Benfica playmaker Talisca after he made a stunning switch to the Chinese Super League.

COUNTING THE COST Juventus end Manchester United’s Douglas Costa hopes after landing £35m Bayern Munich winger

Despite being strongly tipped for a Premier League move this summer, the Brazilian has instead joined Guangzhou Evergrande on a loan deal until January 2019.

The 24-year-old spent the past two seasons on loan at Turkish side Besiktas, and his fine form was believed to have attracted interest from Jose Mourinho.

However, Talisca has decided to move to the Far East instead, with Guangzhou securing his signature for the next six months.