With ten days to go until they begin the defence of their Premier League title away at Swansea, Manchester United might have finally made some significant progress in their quest to add some steel and quality to their midfield, as David Moyes has launched a bid for Everton midfielder Marouane Fellaini.
Moyes’ decision to launch a bid for the Belgian is thought to spell the end for United’s pointless pursuit of Cesc Fabregas, with the former Arsenal captain destined to remain in Spain at least for the foreseeable future, while United won’t have to fork out in the excess of £35m to secure his services.
The Everton midfielder has a £23.5m release clause in his contract, but Moyes’ offer is understood to be some way off that target, meaning that United could be set for another lengthy tussle with Everton, whose chairman, Bill Kenwright, is unlikely to be willing to let one his prized assets for anything less than his value.
Earlier in the summer, the Everton chairman had categorically ruled out that Leighton Baines and Marouane Fellaini would leave Merseyside for clubs playing in the Champions League, as David Moyes’ £10m for offer for the England full-back was swiftly rejected, while a similar response could be expected as far as the Fellaini is concerned.
United, however, have the pulling power to convince Fellaini to force his way out of Everton. The Belgian has made no mystery of his intention to play in the Champions League and after five seasons at Goodison Park, he might feel the time to move on has come and United would undoubtedly represent a fantastic opportunity.
Furthermore, Fellaini owes a lot to David Moyes, the man who brought the Belgian to the Premier League in 2008 and has since moulded him into one of the league’s hardest midfielders and the prospect of reuniting with the Scotsman is something United could bank on throughout their negotiations.
Fellaini isn’t the sort of world class player many Reds craved, but the Belgian is a player of proven Premier League experience who became an integral part of his team under David Moyes, despite being played almost as a second striker, rather than in central midfielder spot he favours.
With less than two weeks before the start of the season, United’s midfield need strengthening but it’s the club as a whole that could do with a lift and finally securing a signing would be a step in the right direction.
