September 3, 2013 - 12:08 AMT
Manchester United sign Everton midfielder Fellaini for £27.5 mln

Manchester United have signed Everton midfielder Marouane Fellaini for £27.5 million late on transfer deadline day, according to BBC Sport.

United had made a joint bid of £28 million for both Fellaini, 25, and full-back Leighton Baines in August, which the Toffees had described as "derisory".

Fellaini had a release clause of £23.5 million in his Everton deal until July 31. The Belgian, who joined Everton from Standard Liege for £15 million in 2008, was contracted to the Toffees until 2016. He scored 33 goals in 177 games and appeared in all four of their fixtures this season.

He said: "I am thrilled to sign for Manchester United. I have known the manager for many years now and I have a lot of respect for his way of working. When I was given the opportunity to work with him again, I jumped at the chance. Being a Manchester United player is something that every player dreams of and I believe that I can make a real contribution to the team's efforts to win trophies in the future."

"He is a player with great ability and strength and I think he will make a real difference to our squad. He can play higher up, if we need it, behind the striker or as a defensive or holding midfielder. In any position in the middle of the field he's comfortable,” Manager David Moyes said.

The Old Trafford club are also looking to complete a deadline-day deal for Athletic Bilbao playmaker Ander Herrera but will have to pay the £31million buyout clause in his contract.