Manchester United are in talks with Everton over a deal for Marouane Fellaini, as David Moyes fears that his top midfield target, Cesc Fabregas of Barcelona, could prove out of reach. The Premier League champions are also interested in signing Leighton Baines from Everton and are considering whether to offer around €35 million for the pair.

Moyes, who has so far added only the young Uruguayan full-back Guillermo Varela to his squad before his debut season at Old Trafford, worked with Fellaini and Baines at Goodison Park, having signed the former for €17 million from Standard Liege in 2008 and the latter for €7 million from Wigan Athletic in 2007.

Roberto Martinez, who has taken over from Moyes at Everton, has said that the club have yet to receive an offer for either player and Moyes is acutely sensitive about the need to conduct any business with his former employer in the right way. His respect for Everton, where he worked for 11 years before succeeding Alex Ferguson, runs deep. But he is clear about the merits of both Fellaini and Baines and he is poised to make his move for them.

Buy-out clause
Fellaini is understood to have offers from elsewhere in the Premier League but he would relish the opportunity to join United and continue his working relationship with Moyes. The 25-year-old's contract at Everton contained a €27 million buy-out clause but it expired on July 31st, meaning that his value will now be determined by market forces.

United's need for reinforcement in midfield has been intensified by Paul Scholes' retirement at the end of last season and Moyes has pushed to take Fabregas, the former Arsenal captain, seeing two bids turned down by Barcelona. United have also been linked with a move for Luka Modric of Real Madrid although that, too, has been fraught with complications.

Good relationship
Arsene Wenger, the Arsenal manager, has said for the past three weeks that his information is that Fabregas will stay at the Camp Nou for at least another season. Despite the disappointment of Fabregas's departure from Arsenal in 2011, Wenger continues to have a good relationship with him while the player's agent is the son of David Dein, Wenger's closest contact in the game.

In this summer of the contractual transfer clause Arsenal have one that effectively entitles them to first refusal on Fabregas. Wenger’s information would appear to be well-sourced. The Barcelona sporting director, Andoni Zubizarreta, also said at the weekend that United had “renounced” the signing of Fabregas.

Fellaini is a different type of midfielder, with reservations over his passing ability and disciplinary record. But the Belgium international has skill, tremendous presence and goal threat, as evidenced by his 12 goals for Everton last season. One of them was the winner against United.

Wayne Rooney will not be able to force his way out of Manchester United to join Chelsea, even if he lodges an official transfer request, a move that appears the next logical step for the striker who is intent on leaving before the transfer window closes.

United are determined that Rooney will not be sold this summer, especially to a serious title rival. Beyond Robin van Persie, the club's top scorer last season, he is the only front-line finisher with a proven track record available to Moyes, as Javier Hernandez is an impact player and Danny Welbeck is yet to show consistency.
Guardian Service