Fellaini could leave China – and end up at Ibrox
Rangers could face f o r m er Ma n c h e s t e r United star, Marouane Fellaini, in the Europa League after Roya l Antwerp launched an ambitious attempt to sign the Belgian international.
He is with Shandong Luneng, but is keen for a return to Europe after two years in China.
The 33-year-old retired from international football last year, but Belgium boss, Roberto Martinez, would consider a recall for the ex-everton midfielder for Euro 2020 next summer.
Fe l l a i n i is friends with Antwerp’s sporting d i r e c t o r, Luciano D’onofrio, and he is trying to persuade the 87-timescapped star to return to Belgian football, 13 years after he left Standard Liege, and move to Antwerp.
His Chinese club are prepared to allow him to go to Belgium on loan, and he would then be able to line up against Steven Gerrard’s side for the last-32 clash in February.
Martinez said: “The door is always open for Marouane. The aim is to allow the young players to develop, but we also need to have an eye for experienced players, who can teach us something.
“We simply don’t have a large pool where we can fish out players with the talent and experience of a Marouane Fellaini.
Meanwhile Rangers and Hibs have been praised for being “ahead of the curve” by embarking on playerexchange partnerships with American clubs, who could be nurturing the next Lionel Messi, a c c o rd i n g to a top executive in the States.
Both clubs have recently linked up with Charleston Battery and Orange County SC from the American USL.
The Premiership rivals have already benefited from the p l a ye r s’ partnership, with Ibrox kids – Cammy Palmer, Danny Finlayson and Matthew Shiels – on loan in the US, and the Light Blues signed young keeper, Aaron Cervantes, in October.
The Hibees have Leland Archer and Robbie Crawford on trial from Charleston.
As a result, the Ibrox and Easter Road clubs have won praise for their forward- thinking from USL vice- president of communications, Ryan Madden.
He pointed out: “It’s recognition that USL communities across the United States are flush with young, emerging talent.
“Football has a worldwide marketplace for such talent .
“In a lot of ways, Rangers and Hibs are ahead of the curve in turning that recognition into something that can positively impact their clubs.”
Orange County president, Oliver Wyss, reckons Rangers could soon get the benefit of developing talent.
He said: “We have as many talented players in the United States as everywhere else in the world.
“Everyone says the next Lionel Messi will be in the United States, and we might have had the next Messi four or five times.
“We just h a v e n’t developed him yet.”