Marouane Fellaini is set make a surprise U-turn and sign a new two-year contract at Manchester United worth in excess of £100,000 a week.
The Belgium midfielder, who is expected to face England in the final World Cup Group G fixture in Kaliningrad on Thursday, appeared to be on his way out of Old Trafford after rejecting United’s offer of a new deal.
Fellaini has been linked with Arsenal, AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain as well a number of clubs in Turkey, China and Holland.
Belgium’s Marouane Fellaini is set to confirm a new two-year contract at Manchester United
The midfielder is expected to stay after an improved offer worth more than £100,000 a week
However, it’s understood that the club have improved their offer in the last few weeks and Fellaini will confirm that he is staying at United on Sunday – the day after his current deal runs out.
The 30-year-old revealed earlier this week that an announcement on his future is imminent. Although sources close to him are remaining tight-lipped, it’s understood that he has committed his future to United until 2020.
‘I know where I’m going to play next year and that does not affect my performance at the World Cup,’ said Fellaini. ‘The contract has been signed and I’m going to announce it within a few days.’
The news is likely to be met with a mixed reaction from fans, some of whom have struggled to accept Fellaini as a United player since he signed for David Moyes in a £27.5million deal in 2013.
The fact that he has been able to dictate terms to the club because he will shortly be a free agent has not gone down well among his critics.
Soon-to-be free agent Fellaini said that he would decide on his future in the next few days
Jose Mourinho has been urging the 30-year-old to commit his future to United for some time
However, Jose Mourinho is an admirer of the former Standard Liege midfielder’s combative, unorthodox style, and has been urging him to sign a new deal for some time.
Fellaini was unhappy that United took so long to come to the negotiating table and warned last month that they may have left it too late.
‘The entire staff is doing everything they can to make me stay,’ he said. ‘Now I am in a strong position, especially since Mourinho has stated that he wants to keep me.
‘Last year I went to the coach and I said that I wanted a new contract. I then had a second meeting, but I will not ask it 10 times.
‘Afterwards I became important for the team. And a good player costs at least £40m. The club knows that they went wrong there.
‘I am now 30 years old, end of contract and negotiating with Manchester United. There are several clubs that show interest. I’m waiting for what’s going to happen.’
The saga now appears to be nearing an end with Fellaini sent to extend his United career for another two years.