Marouane Fellaini spotted in Italy, agent opens doors for transfer
Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini has emerged as a transfer target for AS Roma after he was spotted at Serie A outfit's home – Stadio Olimpico – to watch them play Napoli. The Belgium international was supposedly on a holiday in Rome.
According to the Italian publication Gazzetta dello Sport, Roma are looking to bring in reinforcements in the midfield despite having the services of Daniele De Rossi and former Barcelona man Seydou Keita in that position, along with Kevin Strootman, Radja Nainggolan and Miralem Pjanic.
However, De Rossi has not been a regular inclusion in Luciano Spalletti's side, while Keita, 36, has reached the twilight of his career. In addition to this, the Dutch international has been battling with long-term injuries, meaning Roma are left with Nainggolan and Pjanic as the regular figures.
Moreover, Nainggolan's future at Roma beyond this season remains uncertain as he has emerged as a priority target for incoming Chelsea manager Antonio Conte. The Daily Mail reports the Blues will want to snap the services of the Belgium international, which will cost them £26m.
Fellaini has not cemented a place in United's starting lineup under Louis van Gaal and lack of playing time has seen him being advised to leave Old Trafford by Belgium coach Marc Wilmots.
Roma are looking to sign the former Everton midfielder initially on loan, with a clause that will see them sign him on a permanent transfer for a fee of €28m (£21.8m) later.
Following 1-0 victory over Napoli, Fellaini went out for a dinner with Nainggolan, Pjanic, Uçan and other friends. It is not the first time he visited the Italian capital. Last month, he went out with compatriots Nainggolan and Mertens as well, which has only sparked rumours of him being making a switch to the Italian outfit.
Meanwhile, the midfielder's agent Luciano D’Onofrio has come out and confirmed that his client was on a holiday in Italy. However, Fellaini's representative refused to rule out a potential exit from Old Trafford in the summer transfer window, with Roma being a possible future destination.
"He was probably there on holiday. For the moment, I have no other news. So far I’ve had no contact with Roma for him. Would that move be acceptable? Yes, Roma is a possibility to consider," D’Onofrio told Tutto Mercato Web, as quoted by the Manchester Evening News.