Manchester United have launched a bid for Everton midfielder Marouane Fellaini, signalling the end of their pursuit of Barcelona's Cesc Fabregas, according to the
Mirror. United manager David Moyes wants to be reunited with Fellaini, whom he signed for the Toffee's from Standard Liege in 2008, but is understood to have failed to reach the 25-year-old's £23.5 million release clause. And that could lead to a tussle between the two sides with the transfer window set to slam shut in less than four weeks. Fabregas had been the Red Devil's No.1 transfer target this summer, but the 26-year-old is set to pledge his future to the Catalan club tomorrow. United have had two bids turned down for the former Arsenal captain and had been considering making a third offer, but have been put off by Barca's repeated insistence that the player is not for sale. Moyes know Fellaini well having worked with him for the past five years, but also wants to respect his former employers, whose left-back Leighton Baines has also been subjected to a failed bid by the champions. New Everton boss Roberto Martinez would be loathe to lose the powerful Belgian international, but the midfielder wants to play in the Champions League. Arsenal had also been interested in Fellaini but were put off by the Toffee's asking price, and it is unlikely the Merseyside club will sell for a reduced fee, and are determined to stick by their guns. But United have the financial muscle and the added incentives of Champions League football and the opportunity to link back up with Moyes on their side to make a deal happen.