Manchester United manager David Moyes has given up his pursuit of Cesc Fabregas and looks set to make a move for Everton’s Marouane Fellaini according to reports today.
United have had two bids turned down for Fabregas and Barcelona have made it clear that the player is not for sale.
Moyes knows Fellaini well having signed him during his time as manager at Everton and is aware of the player’s capabilities.
Unfortunately for United a bid for Fellaini comes too late to activate a release clause in his contract.
The clause stipulated that the Belgian could leave Goodison Park for £23million if a club in the Champions League came in for him.
However, with the clause now expired, United are understood to be trying to negotiate the lowest possible fee with the Toffees.
The new United manager is yet to make a major signing since taking over at Old Trafford in July and with the new season just over a week away he will be keen to bolster his squad with a marquee signing.
Fellaini, 25, who arrived at Everton for a club record fee of £15million in 2008, is expected to command a salary of at least £100,000-per-week.
He has made no secret of his ambition to play Champions League football and a move to United to link up with his former manager may well suit his ambitions.
Reports also suggest that Moyes intends to make a second bid for the Toffees’ left-back Leighton Baines.
Baines was the subject of a bid earlier in the summer. The bid was rejected by Everton but United look set to test their resolve to hang on to one of their most prized assets with an increased offer.
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