Football
Rob Dawson, Correspondent 7y

Man United plan to extend Ander Herrera, Juan Mata contracts - sources

Manchester United are confident they will tie down Ander Herrera and Juan Mata with new contracts this season, sources have told ESPN FC.

Herrera and Mata have existing deals that run until next summer but United have the option of triggering automatic one-year extensions for both players that would keep the pair at Old Trafford until 2019.

However, the club are keen to negotiate more long-term agreements.

They are confident both Herrera and Mata want to stay having become key figures under Jose Mourinho and that talks should progress smoothly.

Herrera signed for United in a £30 million deal from Athletic Bilbao in 2014 but only became a regular starter when Jose Mourinho arrived last season.

The midfielder has been linked with a move to Barcelona, where his former Athletic Bilbao manager Ernesto Valverde has taken over from Luis Enrique.

But sources have told ESPN FC the 27-year-old is settled in Manchester and is keen to extend his stay in England.

Mourinho sanctioned Mata's sale to United in January 2014 during his second spell in charge at Chelsea.

However, the 29-year-old was a key man for the club last season, making 42 appearances and scoring 10 goals.

Meanwhile, there is still hope United will land Ivan Perisic from Inter Milan.

Mourinho has taken his summer spending close to £150m with the £40m capture of Nemanja Matic from Chelsea but still wants another attacking player before the transfer deadline.

They have been given no encouragement from Real Madrid that Gareth Bale is available, leaving Perisic as the top target.

Inter Milan are demanding £48.5m for the 28-year-old, or a reduced fee and Anthony Martial on loan next season with no option to buy.

United have so far rebuffed enquiries about Martial but are also unwilling to meet Inter's valuation of a player who moved to Italy from Wolfsburg for just £16.15m two years ago.

Inter boss Luciano Spalletti said this week the conversation about Perisic "is over" but United believe the main stumbling block is Inter's struggle to find an adequate replacement rather than a steadfast desire to keep the Croatia international at the club.

They are confident Perisic wants to move to Old Trafford if they can agree a deal with Inter. Mourinho revealed on Sunday it was Matic's willingness to join United that helped secure a deal for the Serbia midfielder ahead of Juventus.

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