Manchester United FC midfielder to close Old Trafford exit

The imminent departure of Marouane Fellaini from Manchester United to the Chinese Super League was the first significant development of the transfer deadline.

Fellaini looks set to end his five-and-a-half-year stay at Old Trafford, with Post Sport realizing that United has reached an agreement in principle for its sale to Shandong Luneng.

The 31-year-old midfielder pbaded a medical examination and was given permission to discuss terms with Shandong.

The move is subject to red tape and the 31-year-old posted a photo on Instagram Thursday morning of himself at an airport next to the phrase: "Let's go."

Fellaini was the first big signing of the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era when his former Everton director, David Moyes, paid him £ 27.5m in 2013.

The Belgian international has played nearly 180 games with United, but has played only two substitute matches since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was named acting head of Old Trafford last month.

Chinese clubs in the Super League have until February 28 to complete the signatures.

United also allowed Matty Willock to go on loan, the 22-year-old midfielder joining Sky Bet League Two Crawley for the rest of the season.