Manchester United midfielder set for shock Arsenal talks

Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini is due for talks with Arsenal on Wednesday with a view to making a free transfer this summer, reports The Times.

Fellaini’s current United deal is due to expire at the start of next month and the Belgium international is expected to leave after five years at the club.

Jose Mourinho wants Fellaini to sign a new deal but United have failed to agree terms with the 30-year-old, who is demanding a lucrative two-year contract to commit to the club.

AC Milan have been heavily linked with a move for the Belgian midfielder but now Arsenal have entered the race and are the frontrunners for Fellaini’s signature.

Unai Emery tried to sign Fellaini at Paris Saint-Germain last season and has already spoken with the player about making a stunning move to Arsenal this summer, with further talks scheduled on Wednesday.

Arsenal are on the verge of making 29-year-old Borussia Dortmund centre-back Sokratis their first signing of the summer, while the Gunners are also in advanced talks with veteran defender Stephan Lichtsteiner over a free transfer.

With Fellaini’s arrival also in the pipeline, it signals further change to Arsenal’s recruitment policy, as they previously would not have considered players at this stage of their careers under Arsene Wenger.

Injuries limited Fellaini to just 16 appearances in the Premier League last season and only five starts. United won 81.3% of the league matches Fellaini was involved in, compared to a win ratio of 54.5% without him.