By DAN KARELL
There’s only 10 days left until the start of the 2013/2014 English Premier League season, and David Moyes has yet to sign anyone since taking over at Manchester United on July 1.
However, that could all change soon.
Man United are reportedly in talks with Moyes’ former club Everton to sign midfielder Marouane Fellaini. According to reports in England, the Belgian international’s contract has a buy-out clause of £23.5 million ($36.3 million). However, that clause expires on August 15, meaning that were Everton to sell Fellaini after that date they could drive the transfer fee even higher.
With the retirement of Paul Scholes for the second time, Man United are again without a whole lot of depth in central midfield, but bringing in Fellaini would be a major improvement in this area.
Last season, Fellaini appeared 36 times for Everton, scoring 12 goals in all competitions.
Here are some more stories to get your Wednesday started:
BARCELONA MAKE OFFER FOR CHELSEA DEFENDER
With time running out before the end of the transfer window, Barcelona’s efforts to sign a new central defender have become serious.
According to reports out of England, the Spanish club have officially submitted a bid to Chelsea, thought to be in the region of €25 million ($33.2 million), for defender David Luiz. The Brazilian international has long been on the Blaugrana’s radar, but until now the club hadn’t made an official bid.
Luiz has had a stellar recent few months, winning the Europa League and Confederations Cup titles within two months of each other for Chelsea and Brazil, respectively. New manager Jose Mourinho is likely to reject any bid, saying recently during the London club’s tour of the USA that he is happy to have Luiz in the team.
LYON ADVANCES TO CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PLAYOFF ROUND
Former UEFA Champions League group stage regular Lyon has gained a place in the final round of qualifying in this season’s Champions League.
The French club took a second 1-0 victory over Swiss side Grasshoppers to win, 2-0, on aggregate to progress to the playoff-round of qualifying. Clement Grenier scored the lone goal of the match in the 82nd minute, taking advantage of a 1-on-1 opportunity with the opposing goalkeeper to score.
Semifinalists in 2010, Lyon missed out on the Champions League completely last season.
In other results in Champions League qualifying on Tuesday, Maccabi Tel Aviv drew 3-3 with FC Basel, but fell on aggregate, 3-4, Fenerbahce defeated Red Bull Salzburg 3-1, 4-2 on aggregate, and Steaua Bucharest drew 1-1 with Dinamo Tbilisi, but advanced 3-1 on aggregate.
QUICK KICKS
Gareth Bale has been added to the Wales squad for their friendly match next week against the Republic of Ireland despite holding an injury. (REPORT)
Didier Drogba, fresh off a two-goal performance at the Emirates Cup, has been recalled to the Ivory Coast squad for their friendly at MetLife Stadium next Wednesday against Mexico. (REPORT)
After failing a drug test taken in June, an unidentified Jamaican National Team player has been provisionally suspended for 30 days by FIFA. (REPORT)
Chelsea have sent 18-year-old Chilean Cristian Cuevas to Vitesse in Holland on-loan for the season. (REPORT)
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What do you think of these reports? Do you see Fellaini moving to Man United? Do you believe Luiz would move to Barcelona? Do you see Lyon advancing to the group stage?
Share your thoughts below.