According to The Times, Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini has held talks with Arsenal over a spectacular move to the Gunners this summer.
What’s the story?
Fellaini will see his current United deal expire at the end of this month, and it is looking increasingly likely that the 81-time Belgium international will leave Old Trafford.
United boss Jose Mourinho has not been shy in revealing his desire to keep Fellaini in Manchester, but it seems that the 20-time English champions are simply not offering the contract that the former Everton attacker desires at this stage of his career.
AC Milan were said to lead the race for the 30-year-old, but according to The Times, Fellaini has held talks with Arsenal boss Unai Emery over a move to London.
It has been reported that Emery wanted to bring Fellaini to Paris Saint-Germain last summer, and the midfielder is now more likely to sign for the Gunners than he is to either stay at United or indeed join Milan ahead of the 2018-19 campaign.
Does the deal make sense?
To be blunt, no. In order to be effective, Fellaini needs to be playing in a system which allows him to operate high up the field.
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He is simply not a holding midfielder, and it is not a surprise that his best football comes when he is causing problems with his physicality inside the opposition’s penalty box.
However, the presence of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette at Arsenal will make it difficult for Fellaini to win a spot high up the field.
It is not a surprise that Emery is looking to add more steel and experience this summer, but Fellaini would be the wrong signing for the Gunners as he is not the player to compliment the likes of Mesut Ozil.
There is absolutely no question that Fellaini can be effective in both penalty boxes, but it would be a huge surprise if the midfielder pitched up at the Emirates Stadium this summer.
