Tottenham Hotspur may make a surprise bid for former Manchester United and Everton midfielder Marouane Fellaini in the January transfer window.
Many presumed that Fellaini, who plays for Chinese side Shandong Luneng, had seen the last of the Premier League, but Tottenham’s interest could possibly hand him another spell in the English top-fight.
The Belgian had joined the club earlier this year in the January transfer window from Manchester United.
As per The Guardian, Fellaini received a call from Mourinho following Shandong’s loss to Shanghai Shenhua in the China Cup final.
The midfielder is reportedly a “priority” for Mourinho in January. Fellaini’s current deal with the Chinese club expires in 2021. He has been in good form for his side, scoring 12 times and creating 5 assists in 34 games in all competitions.
The Belgian joined Shandong after falling out of favour at Manchester United under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Fellaini was signed to United by David Moyes and played 177 times for the club.
How will Marouane Fellaini fit in at Tottenham?
Jose Mourinho was a big fan of Marouane Fellaini when he was the manager of Manchester United, but considering the Belgian is no longer playing in a top league, a potential transfer will come as a surprise.
Fellaini is not the kind of player typically associated with a club like Tottenham, who have always played quick, attacking football.
The Belgian has been used as one of the links in a direct style of play, but would fit in well in a Mourinho team that sit deep and are physical. Mourinho likes tall and strong midfielders playing in the base of midfield, which is why Eric Dier has been a regular under the Portuguese manager.
If Mourinho does sign Fellaini, he will most likely be a squad player, playing in the role that Dier currently plays in, deep in midfield.
In the 4-2-3-1 system that the Spurs manager prefers, Fellaini would be the strong, physical defensive midfielder who will clear balls in the air, disrupt the opposition’s play, and play short passes to technically better players to move it forward.
Fellaini would probably be a second option behind Dier or Tanguy Ndombele, and could play further forward if Spurs want to play route one football, as he is very strong in the air.
The Belgian has years of Premier League experience which means that he won’t take long to adapt to the Spurs side.