Manchester United look to have missed out on yet more summer transfer targets with Athletic Bilbao turning down a £25million offer for midfielder Ander Herrera and Roma knocking back an enquiry for Daniele De Rossi.
The 24-year-old Spaniard, who impressed against United in the Europa League two seasons ago, is arguably Bilbao's star man and has been linked with a move away from the Spanish club.
And De Rossi, 30, is a World Cup winner with 91 caps for Italy and is one of the most coveted and highly paid players in Serie A.
United target: Athletic Bilbao's Ander Herrera, right, challenges Schalke 04's Jose Manuel Jurado in a Europa League clash
Midfield creativity: Herrera, right, is wanted by Manchester United
Not waving goodbye: Roma have rebuffed an enquiry from United for Daniele De Rossi
Aiming to splash the cash: Manchester United boss David Moyes
New United boss David Moyes has been frustrated in his attempts to strengthen the squad, with pursuits for Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas and Everton duo Leighton Baines and Marouane Fellaini proving fruitless.
Moyes also missed out on signing Thiago Alcantara from Barcelona as the Spanish star decided to team up with former Nou Camp boss Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich.
Bilbao club president Jose Urrutia said on Twitter: 'There is an offer for Ander Herrera. We received it yesterday and we have informed that we will not negotiate for our players.
'Our club is different. We create an emotional bond. Our objective is not to make money. For that a player should leave he needs to state his intentions to leave the club and pay the buyout clause.'
Moyes refused to deny whether United had made a bid for Herrera but was hopeful of making some new additions.
'I hope we do a little bit of business before the window closes,' he said.
Cultured talent: Bilbao's Herrera
Spanish star: Herrera celebrates scoring for Bilbao in the Europa League
When asked about the Herrera bid, Moyes said: We try not disclose our bids where possible and do it in a professional manner.'
United now have to decide whether they willing to meet Herrera's release clause of £30m to land their target.
It has been a summer of frustration for Moyes so far as he tries to bring new players to Old Trafford.
First, an attempt to bring former Arsenal midfielder Fabregas in from Barcelona was thwarted as the Catalan giants turned down two bids, the second a club record £31m.
In the end, Fabregas opted to stay at the Nou Camp to fight for a place in Barca's star-studded midfield.
Staying put: Barcelona's Cesc Fabregas
Twin targets: United want to sign Leighton Baines, left, and Marouane Fellaini from Everton
No thanks: Thiago Alcantara decided to join Bayern Munich rather than Manchester United
Moyes then turned his attentions to raiding former club Everton for star duo Baines and Fellaini but, again, has hit rocky ground.
Everton have already rejected an offer of £26million but United have upped their bid for the midfielder — and left back Leighton Baines — to £36million, which will crank up the pressure ahead of the transfer window closing on Monday.
Bilbao will not want to sell Herrera, an ex-Real Zaragoza player, given they have lost star men midfielder Javi Martinez to Bayern Munich and striker Fernando Llorente to Juventus in recent seasons.
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