Manchester United could face losing key man Marouane Fellaini for nothing next summer after the Belgian rejected their contract offer, according to the Daily Star.
The report claims that Fellaini wants a significant pay rise to stay at Old Trafford and believes he is worth more than the amount that has been offered.
Fellaini is reportedly earning around £100,000-a-week on his current deal, and is not happy with the slight raise being offered by the club.
Talks between the two parties have been ongoing since the summer, but United’s failure to reach a compromise with Fellaini may see the midfielder sign a pre-contract agreement with another club in January.
It is understood that Jose Mourinho would rather keep Fellaini and then lose him for nothing in the summer, rather than sell him on for a reduced fee in January.
OPINION
Fellaini has transformed into a key player at Old Trafford under Jose Mourinho, with the Portuguese a fan of the tactical options he can offer. Mourinho has made no secret of the fact that he wants to retain the services of the big Belgian, but the senior figures at the club do not seem to be so keen. The offer that is currently on the table is obviously deemed not enough by the player, and the club seem unwilling to offer much more. Fellaini could therefore be tempted to move elsewhere, somewhere he would be more valued and play more minutes. The player’s good relationship with Mourinho could however be the saving grace for United, for whom losing Fellaini would be a big loss.