From Belgium: Newcastle see Marouane Fellaini as ‘ideal’ man, surprise January signing pushed

Marouane Fellaini is ‘attracting interest’ from Newcastle United as they look to bolster their squad this month.

That’s according to La Dernière Heure, who say that the Magpies see the Belgian as the ‘ideal man’ to build their new team around.

Newcastle are expected to be busy this month, with Eddie Howe handed a considerable transfer budget to reinvent the squad for their fight against relegation.

The transfer window is only 11 days old, but they have already experienced difficulties in convincing big names to join the club, a situation foreseen by many given they are currently in 19^th place in the Premier League.

Recent reports have seen them turn their attention to players a little further down the pecking order, and that is where Fellaini comes into it.

He has been ‘living happily’ in China for the past three years and extended his contract with Shandong Taishan until 2025 in June.

He’s a ‘major player’ at the club and is a ‘real star’ in the country, where their league and cup double, plus a tally of ten goals and one assist this season, have only helped to raise his profile.

It’s also earned him attention from elsewhere, and those ‘fine performances’ this season are ‘attracting interest’.

Many clubs want to bring him back to Europe, including the ‘newly rich English club Newcastle’ who see him as the ‘ideal man’ to build their new team around.

They’re not the only suitors, though, with Galatasaray, Besiktas and clubs in Qatar and Dubai also ‘keen on him’.

Fellaini, who has said he feels ‘perfectly at home’ in China, is, therefore ‘spoilt for choice’, suggesting Newcastle might have to be very convincing if they are to convince to return to the Premier League.