Fellaini loan bid rejected

AC Milan have had a loan bid for Manchester United’s Marouane Fellaini rejected, according to Italian reports.

Corriere della Serra and La Repubblica have both reported that the Belgian midfielder is on the Rossoneri’s radar, with Sevilla’s Ever Banega the main target. CEO Adriano Galliani is also reportedly a big fan of Fellaini and would like to bring his physical presence to the Serie A.

However, Fellaini’s valuation has been a stumbling block, with a £18 million price tag and nearly £50,000 a week in wages proving to be too much for Sinisa Mihajlovic’s side.

Instead, the Rossoneri had asked for a loan deal where United would continue to pay a part of Fellaini’s wages, but the proposal was rejected by the Reds, who will only consider a permanent transfer.

Fellaini has been a source of ridicule for United fans ever since he signed for the club in the summer of 2013 for a fee of £27.5 million from Everton, with fans insisting that the signing was a mistake and that the Belgian is not a United-calibre player.

After seemingly breaking into Louis van Gaal’s starting eleven in the latter stages of last season, the 28-year-old has been a bit-part player this season, often being brought on as a substitute off the bench or being deployed up front as an emergency striker.

Of his 18 appearances for the Reds this season, less than half have been from the start and the Belgian seems to be stuck as a utility player under the Dutchman, with better options at his disposal.

If he is to depart Old Trafford this winter, it is likely that his presence would not be missed by the United faithful.