West Ham United is interested in signing Marouane Fellaini as the manager David Moyes looks to team up with the midfielder at a third different club.
The Belgium international was allowed to leave Manchester United after five-and-a-half years in January to join Chinese club Shandong Luneng.
Fellaini has two years left on his contract in China. However, the Chinese FA is introducing a salary cap. This means the 32-year old would have to take a 75% pay cut if he stayed beyond the end of his current deal.
Moyes has previously coached Fellaini twice. He took him from Everton to Manchester United on Deadline Day 2013 for £7.5 m.
Fellaini has made 260 Premier League appearances during spells at Everton and United. He has scored a total of 27 goals.
“Fellaini is a player who David Moyes knows very well. He had a pretty good season in China. I think he scored 12 times as his club finished fifth. They also got to the final of the Chinese FA Cup.” said Kaveh Solhekol.
“He has two years left on his contract and this could be crucial. The salary cap means that foreign players cannot earn more than £50,000 a week.”
“Fellaini is earning more than £200,000 a week. The good news for him is he can carry on earning £200,000 a week until his contract runs out. But if he was to sign another contract, then he would take a whopping 75 percent payout.”
“So, Fellaini will leave China. I think within the next two years and my information this evening is that West Ham United want to sign him.”
“Interestingly, Moyes did say today that in this transfer market, he is looking for players who have Premier League experience. Players who know all about what it is like to play in the Premier League. Of course, Fellaini would appear to fit the bill.”