ARSENAL ENTER RACE TO SIGN MAROUANE FELLAINI

Arsenal are the surprise new suitors to sign Marouane Fellaini from Manchester United, according to reports on Wednesday.

The Belgian midfielder, out of contract at Old Trafford, at the end of the season, looks set to leave Old Trafford in January after failing to agree a new deal.

United are keen to retain the midfielder’s services, but it’s understood he has told them he wants to move on. As such, it’s claimed United have told interested parties that the fee for the player – a £27million signing from Everton in September 2013 – has been set for £8million.

That has, unsurprisingly, peaked plenty of clubs’ interest, though it was firmly expected a move to Besiktas would be on the offing after his twin brother was spotted in Istanbul holding talks with the Turkish club.

However, it’s believed Fellaini is keen to stay in the Premier League and Calciomercato claims Arsene Wenger sees the powerful Belgian – who has enjoyed something of a renaissance at Old Trafford this season – as the perfect player to add bite and drive to the Arsenal midfielder.

It’s believed United would prefer not to sell Fellaini to a rival, but will sanction the deal if that is what the player pushes for and given Mourinho is already planning for life without him.