Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini is reportedly on the verge of completing a switch to Chinese Super League side Shandong Luneng. The 31-year-old Belgian international was recently earmarked as one among a host of fringe players to be shown the exit door as a new era beckoned for the Red Devils' under interim manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Earlier on Tuesday, a delegation from an 'unnamed' Chinese club was reportedly in town to discuss the transfer of Fellaini with Manchester United chief executive Ed Woodward. The team was subsequently identified as Shandong Luneng and, according to BBC 5's Guillem Balague, a deal for the former Evertonian has been sealed.
Just been told Fellaini to China is all done and dusted. He will get €11m annual net. Transfer fee is £7m #MUFC pic.twitter.com/NWrcaNeMnQ
— Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) January 29, 2019
Manchester United will reportedly receive a transfer fee in the region of €7 million while Marouane Fellaini is expected to earn €11 million per year. The Belgian midfielder who is currently recovering from a calf injury will, as a result, bring a five-and-a-half-year stint to an end.
Having arrived during the tenure of David Moyes, he has earned the reputation of being Manchester United's 'Plan B' when little seemed to work for the Red Devils under both Louis Van Gaal and Jose Mourinho. However, while Fellaini's aerial strength came in handy on numerous occasions, his inability to consistently stay in form made him unpopular among the club's fan base.
Can understand why some Manchester United fans are pleased with the news that Fellaini could be leaving to China. But also think it's important to recognise the good he gave the club. He didn't survive under three managers because of pity. He did his job well.
— Liam Canning (@LiamPaulCanning) January 29, 2019
Fellaini, Valencia, and Darmian all possibly leaving my club. pic.twitter.com/I532GPbrYh
— FergieTime™️ (@SSIIIIUUUU) January 29, 2019
Fellaini wasn't a Utd player but he's chipped in with some big goals and big performances at Utd. I won't miss him but I won't celebrate his exit either. Genuinely wish him all the best.
— Pilib De Brún (Phil Brown) (@Malachians) January 29, 2019
I suspect many #mufc fans will recognise Fellaini exit as a necessary move to progress while also recognising he always applied himself 100% and that he scored some very important goals. Which cannot be said for everyone at that club in recent times.
— Adam Crafton (@AdamCrafton_) January 29, 2019
Wonder where United would be if some players, manager, exec and owners had shown the same levels of professionalism that Fellaini has over the last few years.
— Ste.A (@sarm0161) January 29, 2019
For those mocking Fellaini, just remember he scored the goal that sent us through to the last 16 of the CL and has allowed us to face the exciting matches vs PSG under Ole. He saved our skin many times. I can only wish him well @Fellaini
— The Man Utd Way (@TheManUtdWay) January 29, 2019
With Fellaini closing in on a move away, the likes of Marcos Rojo, Antonio Valencia, and Matteo Darmian are rumored to be on the list of players to be affected by the overhaul in the post-Jose Mourinho era.
