According to reports in The Mirror on April 21, West Ham United are one of six clubs interested in signing Manchester United contract rebel Marouane Fellaini this summer.
The Mirror reports that the Belgium international is set to leave Old Trafford when his current deal expires this summer, as he is looking for one final big pay day, and it is no surprise that Irons boss David Moyes is interested in the 30-year-old.
The Scottish boss signed the midfielder for both Everton and the Red Devils previously, and he is said to be looking to be reunited with him for a third time at the London Stadium.
Even though the east London outfit aren’t safe from relegation yet, Moyes will have already started to make plans for next season in the Premier League, and he will be looking for players that can help them finish higher up the standings next term.
Fellaini is certainly someone that could help with that, but the arrival of the versatile star – who can play in a central or more attacking midfield role – would surely throw the futures of a number of West Ham players into doubt.
Here are three Irons stars that would need to leave this summer if Fellaini joins…
West Ham midfielder Kouyate has been one of the clubs most disappointing performers this season, and he has come under criticism from fans on Twitter for his displays on a regular basis.
The Senegal international has continued to be a regular in the middle of the park in recent months with little competition for places there, but in reality his future will be in severe doubt unless he shows an improvement on the pitch in their remaining Premier League fixtures.
The arrival of Fellaini in the summer would only push him down the pecking order and closer to the exit door, however.
The Switzerland international had struggled because of injury and lack of form earlier on in the campaign, but he has bounced back in recent weeks by starting West Ham’s previous four Premier League matches, with the likes of Michail Antonio and Manuel Lanzini suffering from injury.
However, the 22-year-old didn’t really make an outstanding impact and was replaced after an hour against Arsenal on Sunday, and the return of key players to fitness and the arrival of Fellaini at the London Stadium this summer would surely only push the midfielder further down the pecking order under Moyes.
He would surely need to move on to play regularly if the Big Belgian did sign.
The 18-year-old has been on the fringes of the West Ham starting XI this season and was an unused substitute on eight occasions in the Premier League towards the end of 2017 and into 2018 when the team was struggling, but he was never given his opportunity.
That shows that David Moyes clearly doesn’t feel that the teenager is ready to make an impact in the club’s midfield in the Premier League just yet.
The Irons fans must trust their manager on that judgment, but bringing Fellaini to the London Stadium during the summer would only harm the Portugal U19 international’s chances even further, and he would likely need to leave in order to get regular minutes elsewhere.
Do you agree, Irons fans? Let us know below.
