A furious row is brewing within Old Trafford, claims the Daily Express, with Jose Mourinho said to be “at odds with the club over a new deal for Marouane Fellaini”.
Currently in his fifth season at Manchester United since signing from Everton, Fellaini has grown into the Red Devils shirt and is increasingly influential. But it appears he’s aware of his own worth and is allegedly demanding a salary of £150,000 a week in order to pen a new deal.
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That, says the Express, hasn’t gone down well in the boardroom with the bean-counters “reluctant to give him such a lofty wage”. Mourinho, on the other hands, thinks it’s a fair reflection of his talent and “that could lead to things turning sour” between the manager and the club’s hierarchy. Talks are ongoing but for the moment there is no sign of a breakthrough in the tense negotiations.
Talking of negotiations, there could be some of those soon between United and Fenerbahce with the Turkish outfit looking to entice Daley Blind from Old Trafford in January.
Unlike Fellaini, the 27-year-old has fallen out of favour with Mourinho and consequently the Dutch defender is concerned that he’s not playing enough football.
The Sun says that Fenerbahce are ready to offer him regular game time and that could be a clincher for Blind, who wants to put himself in contention for a place in Holland’s World Cup squad next summer should they qualify for the showpiece tournament.
Finally, if United want to lure Mesut Ozil to Old Trafford next year they’ll have to see off competition from Barcelona.
Metro says that the German midfielder is almost certain to leave Arsenal and quotes former Gunner Martin Keown as saying Ozil has “already left” the club in his mind.
United are believed to be neck and neck with Barcelona for the services of the German international with the Spanish club still looking to fill the hole left by Neymar’s departure to PSG.