Manchester United transfer news: Marouane Fellaini deal in principle agreed with Shandong Luneng

Fellaini has passed a medical and is travelling to China to agree personal terms

Marouane Fellaini is nearing the Old Trafford exit door after Manchester United agreed a deal in principle with Chinese Super League club Shandong Luneng.

The 31-year-old midfielder has passed a medical and travelled to China on Thursday to complete a transfer for an undisclosed fee, believed to be around £10.5m.

Fellaini is expected to earn in the region of £200,000-a-week at Shandong, who also have former Southampton striker Graziano Pelle on their books.

The Belgium international posted an Instagram update on Thursday morning showing him and three members of his entourage at an airport with the caption: “Let’s go.”

United were under no pressure to complete the sale of Fellaini before Thursday’s 11.00pm deadline as the Chinese transfer window is open until 28 February.

However, after recognising that he is not considered as a first-choice midfielder by caretaker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Fellaini has opted to leave Old Trafford sooner rather than later.

The Belgium international was seen as a loyal servant of Solskjaer’s predecessor Jose Mourinho and signed a new two-year contract at United last summer.

The deal put Fellaini among the playing squad’s highest-paid players but, less than a year after agreeing new terms, he is set to embark on a new chapter in his career.

Fellaini became the first major signing of the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era in 2013 when signed from Everton for £27.5m by David Moyes.

The Belgian struggled for acceptance in the years that followed though eventually became something of a cult hero among sections of United’s support.