Manchester United tell Barcelona Ander Herrera is not for sale… but put £60million price tag on him anyway
Jose Mourinho is unwilling to sanction the sale of Spain midfielder who impressed last season
MANCHESTER UNITED have told Barcelona that Ander Herrera is not for sale - but put a £60million price tag on his head anyway.
The Spain midfielder has been strongly linked with a move to the Nou Camp despite United offering him a new £180,000-a-week deal.
In an often frustrating season, Herrera emerged as a real diamond in Jose Mourinho's side with his commanding performances in midfield.
And he was ranked ahead of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Antonio Valencia as the club's player of the year.
But Barca's first choice target remains Paris Saint-Germain star Marco Verratti.
And reports had linked the Spanish side with a double swoop involving Herrera and Riyad Mahrez should their pursuit of Verratti fail.
But now it appears they will have to rethink their strategy again with United digging their heels over Herrera.
And the Independent claim it will take that magic £60m figure for the Old Trafford hierarchy to even consider letting Herrera leave.
They say there has been no official approach for the player regarded as a future Red Devils captain.
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And they claim that "United would not welcome any should one come".
New Barca boss Ernesto Valverde is a huge fan of Herrera but unwilling to meet that price.