Former Manchester United midfielder Ander Herrera has explained how 'transfer imposters' disrupted his planned move to Old Trafford back in 2013.
The Spaniard was heavily linked with a move to the Reds in 2013, with David Moyes - who had replaced Sir Alex Ferguson as manager - keen to bring the player to the club. Despite this, United were unable to agree a deal for Herrera.
It was suggested that the deal had broken down after Athletic Bilbao demanded a pricey buy-out fee. However, some reports at the time claimed that 'imposters' who posed as lawyers representing the player had sabotaged the transfer - and Herrera has now explained how they were attempting to broker a deal on his behalf.
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Speaking to the UTD Podcast, Herrera confirmed that he was unaware of the individuals and suggested they were trying to make 'easy money'.
"I didn't even know them," he said of the legal advisers who claimed to be representing him. "I know my lawyers and I know my agent. It is the same agent as when I was 18. They [hoaxers] were trying to make easy money – I don't know how.
"I think they wanted to be there if the negotiation was successful, they wanted everyone to think that they were the ones who did it and, maybe after that, they can have more players or more negotiations.
"But I didn't even know them, honestly. It was funny because some of my friends say: 'Your lawyers are in La Liga and they are going to pay the money,' and I said: 'No, they are not my lawyers. I do not know them.'"
Despite the controversy, Herrera would go on to join United just one year later, becoming the first signing of Louis van Gaal's tenure at Old Trafford. The Spaniard made 189 appearances for the Reds, registering 20 goals and 27 assists. He also won the Europa League, FA Cup and EFL Cup.
The midfielder left the club in 2019 and joined French giants Paris Saint-Germain, where he won two Ligue 1 titles and two Coupe de France's. The 33-year-old is currently on loan at Athletic Bilbao.
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