Manchester United Transfer News: Placing Bid for Marouane Fellaini Is Smart Move

In the wake of Cesc Fabregas confirming that he has no plans to leave Barcelona, per BBC Sport, Manchester United has shifted its focus to Everton midfielder Marouane Fellaini. The Belgium international has already developed a relationship with first-year Red Devils boss David Moyes.

Moyes coached Fellaini at Goodison Park, and according to The Mirror's John Cross, the former Everton manager has placed a bid for the 25-year-old:

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United boss Moyes has returned to Everton, the club he left for the champions last month, for the Belgium midfielder - who has had a £23.5 million buy-out clause allowing him to move to a Champions League club this summer.

However, it is understood that United's valuation is not as high as that, so the clubs could be set for a tussle over his services even though Moyes is desperate to strengthen his midfield.

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With the Everton connections too strong to resist, it seemed inevitable that United would take a good, long look at Fellaini, who displays tremendous versatility in midfield.

Bayern beat out the English champions for Thiago Alcantara and Fabregas is likely staying put in Spain. Real Madrid's Luka Modric is another potential addition, according to Matt Hughes and James Ducker of The Times, but the Croatian is two years older than Fellaini and wasn't all that impressive in his first year with Los Blancos.

With the league's leading goalscorer in Robin van Persie (26 goals in league play) returning to Old Trafford, the defending Premier League champions certainly have the firepower to score with anyone. However, Moyes knows there are some serious weaknesses in the midfield—ones that Fellaini could help patch up.

At 6'4", the Belgian has the size and strength to win balls on the ground and in the air. 

In addition to making his presence felt in midfield, Fellaini is an emerging threat in and around the box. He scored a career-high 12 goals in 36 appearances in all competitions for Everton in 2012-13 and has netted two goals in four appearances with the Belgian national team this year. 

Not that United need more goalscorers with Van Persie and Wayne Rooney starring up top, but Fellaini offers goal-scoring potential without requiring the ball. He can make strong runs and dribbles into the box, often creating chances for others if he can't get an open look himself.

Overall, Fellaini is the type of well-rounded talent that could provide the Red Devils with the boost they need to repeat as Premier League champions in 2013-14.

With United running out of talented midfield options this summer, and the window winding down, Moyes has made the smartest move possible by going back to his former club in pursuit of a player he understands better than anyone.

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