Marouane Fellaini set for January exit

A report in this morning’s Sunday Mirror claims that Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini is set to join Beşiktaş upon the opening of the next transfer window. The 29-year-old’s contract is due to expire at the end of the season, though the Turkish club have apparently decided to splash £8 million to sign him in January rather than wait until he becomes a free agent in the summer. Bizarre.

The Belgian had established himself as a surprisingly/upsettingly regular feature in the United first team under Mourinho, though his performances clearly haven’t been good enough to warrant a contract extension. It seems recent reports suggesting the United boss has to sell before being permitted to buy anyone else are indeed true.

The same report in the Mirror is linking United with a move for Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Fred. The Brazilian — who has made six international appearances since his debut in 2014 — is so far said to have attracted interest from both Sevilla and Valencia. It sounds tenuous to us.