Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has revealed he wants Marouane Fellaini to stay at the Old Trafford.
Fellaini will however, be a free agent at the end of the season unless he strikes a new contract deal.
The Belgium international has yet to reach an agreement over an extension and Mourinho does have doubts over whether they will be able to find a solution.
“It’s a very important player for me and is a great professional that is giving everything he can to help the team and there is a desire from myself, the board and the player to stay together,” Mourinho said at his Tottenham pre-match press conference.
“That’s our objective. Are we going to reach, to agree?
“I don’t know but what I know is that myself, the board and the player we would like to have a happy year.”
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Mourinho underlined that he wants Fellaini to stay and that the midfielder is happy at the club.
The United boss did hint at what the underlying problem is, Fellaini may not be entirely happy with the terms of contract being offered.
“In relation to Marouane? No, no. I’m happy with his contribution,” he added.
“I think he’s been a great professional for us and I know that he wants to stay with us and that is very important.
“He knows I want him and the club wants him and I think that’s very important for him.
“But then there is a paper to sign but you only sign the paper when you are happy with what’s on the paper. So let’s see what will happen.”
Turkish giants Galatasaray and Besiktas will be hoping Fellaini does not sign a new deal.
Turkish-Football have reported Besiktas holding several rounds of talks with Fellaini’s representatives over a lucrative, long-term deal which would see him signed as a first-team player.
A source close to Galatasaray, confirmed to Turkish-Football that if the £15 million transfer of Badou Ndiaye to Stoke City goes through it would free up the wage bill as well as give the club a decent profit.
The Lions are already planning replacements and have rekindled interest in Fellaini as a result.
Mourinho did publically rule out the 29-year-old joining the Istanbul giants over the summer but would be unable to prevent a move from happening at the end of the current campaign if things stay the same.
“It’s easier for Galatasaray to get me than to get Maroaune,” Mourinho was quoted as saying by Goal.
“Forget it. He’s too important to me.”
