Arsenal Steal March On Rivals After Triggering £22m Fellaini Release Clause

With the summer transfer window set to open, there is plenty of gossip doing the rounds in the newspapers so we’ll keep you up-to-date with the latest transfer rumours. Today, Arsenal make their move for Marouane Fellaini.

Arsenal have stolen a march on Chelsea and Manchester United after triggering Everton midfielder Marouane Fellaini’s £22m release clause, according to ESPN.

The report claims the giant Belgian can leave the Toffees this summer if a bid of £22m comes in from a team qualified in next seasons Champions League, or £24m for teams that finished outside the top four.

Fellaini enjoyed an excellent start to last season but saw his relationship with the Everton fans called into question after he was booed off the pitch following a below par display against Wigan in the FA Cup.

ESPN claim he’s been linked with Chelsea in recent months while a move to champions United has also been touted following the arrival of former Everton boss David Moyes at Old Trafford, but it seems the Gunners have made the first move by triggering his release clause opening up the possibility of a switch to the Emirates this summer.

Everton chairman Bill Kenwright confirmed the existence of a clause in Fellaini’s contract but claims that while the player insisted on the trigger being written into his contract, he’s not given him any reason to feel he wants a move this summer.

“Fellaini insisted on [the clause]. I have to say he has given me every indication he doesn’t want to go.” Kenwright is quoted as saying by ESPN.

Arsenal are being linked with a whole host of big names this summer with ESPN suggesting boss Arsene Wenger is ready to spend after being given up to £100m to splash this summer and it seems there is a real possibility they could land Fellaini.

As well as several media reports claiming the north Londoners have triggered his release clause, Sky Sports have also confirmed that the odds for Fellaini to join Arsenal have been slashed considerably over the past few days, and we know the bookies don’t often get things wrong!

Read more Arsenal transfer news | Chelsea transfer news | Man Utd transfer news

What do Arsenal fans think; would you like Fellaini to join the club? Would Chelsea and United fans be disappointed to miss out? Get involved in the comments section below.