Manchester United Transfer News: Marouane Fellaini, Mats Hummels, Latest Rumours

The agent for Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini has suggested his client could leave the football club at the end of campaign, with Roma noted as a possible destination. 

Fellaini has been in and out of the Red Devils team this term, used as an orthodox midfielder on occasions and often as a target man near the point of the attack. A first-team spot isn’t guaranteed, though, and his representative Luciano D’Onofrio has hinted he’d be keen to move to the Italian capital.

“For the moment I have no other news,” he told Tuttomercatoweb (h/t Colin Harvey of the Daily Star). “So far I’ve had no contact with Roma for him. Would that move be acceptable? Yes, Roma is a possibility to consider.”

As we can see here courtesy of HLN’s Kristof Terreur, Fellaini was in attendance recently for the clash between Roma and Napoli:

He’s been regularly criticised since moving from Everton to Manchester United. The burly Belgian came to epitomise the ill-fated tenure of David Moyes at Old Trafford, and given the uneven nature of his performances, Fellaini has never quite grown into a hugely popular figure with the club’s supporters.

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But there’s no denying he’s a useful option to have in the squad. When deployed as a split striker Fellaini can cause problems to opposition sides with his unorthodox frame, brute strength and ability to bring balls down on his chest. He’s also more than capable of grabbing a goal.

As this clip from BT Sport Football illustrates, Fellaini is also adept at making a defensive contribution:

Still, not every manager would be able to find a place for him in the squad.

Fellaini himself may fancy a change of scenery, especially if a new club can offer guaranteed first-team football. Whether it’s Louis van Gaal or someone else in charge at United next season, after another summer of inevitable investment, that’s something which may not be available too often at Old Trafford.

Mats Hummels Set for Bayern Munich Move

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According to Sport Bild (h/t Anthony Chapman of the Sun), Mats Hummels’ switch from Borussia Dortmund to Bayern Munich could be completed within the week, ending Manchester United’s chances of landing the defender.

Per Chapman, the Red Devils and Manchester City have been linked with moves for the defender, although now it looks as though he’ll head back to his former club in a £23.5 million deal.

Since departing Bayern for Dortmund Hummels has developed into one of the premier defenders in world football. Here is a look at why he’s such a vital figure at the Westfalenstadion:

They’re attributes that make it inevitable for the Premier League’s elite to take an interest. Hummels relishes physical battles, of which he’d see plenty in English football. While he’s not the quickest, positionally he’s outstanding.

But it’s understandable why even a man who has become synonymous with Dortmund would want to join Bayern. BT Sport’s Raphael Honigstein noted the player’s family are big Bayern fans:

United’s defensive options do look a little thin on paper, although Chris Smalling and Daley Blind have forged a strong partnership at the back this season. Even so, a player of the calibre of Hummels would make a big difference at Old Trafford.

So it’ll be a shame for the football club should they miss out on him, as is likely the case, according to the latest reports. The defender may not be taking the most challenging option in heading to the Allianz Arena, although the chance to be a key cog at his boyhood club is an opportunity that’d be tough to turn down.