Photo by Nick (Wikimedia Commons)
According to reports, Arsenal have made moves for Everton‘s Marouane Fellaini. The Belgian international has had a great season at Goodison Park and has been linked with many clubs in recent times, but the Times state that the Gunners have moved ahead of the competition to sign Fellaini by activating his £24 million release clause.
Goal.com has reported the same, but mention the special clause in Everton’s record signing of Fellaini’s contract being in play by stating that Arsenal have made a club-record bid of £22 million on Wednesday — the same day that Roberto Martinez was appointed the new Everton manager.
Fellaini’s reported buy-out clause is £22 million for a top-four club, and £24 million for a club that finishes outside the Champions League places, hence Arsenal would need to pay £2 million less. The reported bid also came on the same day Everton chairman Bill Kenwright revealed Fellaini’s supposed escape clause — “There is one [Fellaini] that has a get-out, which everyone knows.”
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has been a long-term admirer of Fellaini, who would no doubt bring a physical presence to the Arsenal midfield and someone who also prefers a defensive midfield role. He is also versatile and not injury-prone like Abou Diaby.
Signing the Belgian would be a huge statement of intent for the Gunners, who have the money now with a reported £100 millon transfer kitty and are looking to build on their fourth-place finish from this past season and become title challengers.
