Arsenal reportedly want to sign Marouane Fellaini on a free transfer at the end of the season, with the Belgian’s contract with Manchester United due to expire.

Fellaini’s contract only lasts until 2018, and the Red Devils have been in discussions with him trying to extend it. However, according to the Express, Arsenal are ready to pounce if United don’t manage to find an agreement with the midfielder, having been linked with Fellaini many years ago.

Manchester United have been linked with Özil in recent months, as the midfielder similarly runs down his contract. Both players are more likely to find an agreement with an overseas club in January, since foreign clubs are allowed to negotiate pre-contract agreements six months before the contract expires.

However, if that doesn’t happen, and the Arsenal playmaker doesn’t sign a new contract in North London, it could be that the Gunners end up being on the worse end of a Fellaini-Özil swap, in my opinion. Fellaini is much-improved for Manchester United in the last season or so, but he’s still never had the kind of impact on United that Özil has had on Arsenal.

Leaving the Özil angle to one side, I suppose there’s some value in getting in an experienced midfield squad option if it’s for free. Just don’t expect me to get excited about it.