Manchester City have completed the deadline day signing of Everton midfielder Marouane Fellaini for £27.5m.
The combative Belgian midfielder, 25, had forced Everton’s hand by handing in a transfer request late on Monday but the final fee was substantially greater than the earlier reported £23.5m release clause that he was available for prior to July 31 and was largely the same as an earlier rejected £28m bid for both Fellaini and left back Leighton Baines which was rejected as ‘derisory’.
Manager David Moyes said: “I’m delighted he has decided to join Manchester United. He is a player with great ability and strength and I think he will make a real difference to our squad.”
“He can play higher up, if we need it, behind the striker or as a defensive or holding midfielder. In any position in the middle of the field he’s comfortable.
Fellaini said: “I am thrilled to sign for Manchester United. I have known the manager for many years now and I have a lot of respect for his way of working. When I was given the opportunity to work with him again, I jumped at the chance.
“Being a Manchester United player is something that every player dreams of and I believe that I can make a real contribution to the team’s efforts to win trophies in the future.”
Fellaini was only United’s second summer signing, with full back Guillermo Varela signing earlier in the summer.
Nick Powell, 19, was allowed to join Wigan on loan for the season after just six appearances for United last season following his £6m transfer from Crewe Alexandra last summer.