The Belgian international, Marouane Fellaini was subjected to intense transfer speculation as soon as the previous season ended and the transfer window reopened. He was a public transfer target for Arsenal, who were reportedly keen on securing his services. However, as the summer dragged on, he slowly started drifting out of the limelight and stopped being featured in transfer rumors.

Everton went about carrying out their respective transfer business and new manager Roberto Martinez refused to make any noise about Fellaini. He simply just minded his own business throughout the summer, and reported for pre-season training with the Toffees. Everton were eagerly looking towards the end of the transfer window which would enable them to keep hold of their prized asset.

Though the speculative rumors have resurfaced now as he was mysteriously dropped from Everton’s 2-1 win against La Liga ouftit Real Betis. He has featured in all their previous pre-season games, and this sudden omission has raised doubts amongst the transfer speculators.

The 25-year old has been linked to the likes of Manchester United apart from Arsenal, whose manager David Moyes himself made the switch from Everton to United this summer and is now keen to lure his former charge to Old Trafford.

Sky Sports now reports that Everton boss Roberto Martinez was quizzed about Fellaini’s exclusion from the team to which he replied, though in an unconvincing tone as he said, “Marouane would have been available if it was a competitive game,”

“He picked up a cut on the US tour. Bearing in mind he has to join the Belgium squad now – and in two days the infection will clear – I didn’t want to risk hurting him.”

The fact that he was excluded due to a small cut while on tour is frankly a little hard to swallow. Is Martinez hiding something? Are there any developments behind the scenes? Can we expect a sudden swoop in the coming few days which will see Fellaini head to either Arsenal or Manchester United?