Euro Giants Enter Talks With Man United Midfielder Who Mourinho Mourinho Is Struggling To Keep
Manchester United star Marouane Fellaini is entering the last six months of his contract but has yet to sign a new deal.
United manager Jose Mourinho has been struggling to get Fellaini to extend his stay.
Mourinho recently admitted he fears Fellaini may not be at United next season [Sky Sports]: “Yes, I am.”
Mourinho responded to a question asking if there was anything he could do to turn it around by saying: “Nothing. It is a discussion between the player and the board. I am not involved in contracts, in deals. And I respect both.
“I respect the player because the player has the right to decide his future. He finishes his contract, he has the right to decide his future, and I respect the board because the decisions and the discussions are under their control.
“So I just wait, wishing that they will have an understanding but it’s out of my control.”
Fellaini will be a free agent at the end of the season unless he renews his contract.
The problem Mourinho is facing is that United rarely give long-term deals to players aged 30 and above.
Champions League high flyers Besiktas meanwhile have no qualms offering a lengthy contract on high wages for players aged 30 and above.
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The Black Eagles have several players aged 30 or more on lucrative deals such as Ryan Babel, Ricardo Quaresma and Pepe.
A source close to Besiktas has revealed to Turkish-Football that the club recently held talks with Fellaini’s representatives.
There have been several round of talks over the past few months. The latest negotiations were regarding the possibility of Fellaini joining in January or at the end of the season.
As things stand an end of season move is more attractive to both parties.
Besiktas do not want to pay a transfer fee in January but are keen on signing Fellaini as a free agent.
The Istanbul giants priority is to strengthen the squad ahead of the Champions League clash agaisnt Bayern Munich in February.
Fellaini would be cup tied if he were to join over the winter break.
Besiktas became the first Turkish side to book a place in the Champions League Last 16 as group leaders this campaign.