Louis van Gaal Tells Marouane Fellaini 'United Do Not Want Him' But Napoli Deal Still €3m Off

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has told Marouane Fellaini he does not feature in his Old Trafford plans as the Belgian's prospective move to Napoli has been delayed.

According to Italian newspaper La Gazzetta Dello Sport, Van Gaal has told the midfielder he will not feature in his midfield and given his blessing for Fellaini to find another club.

Napoli are in pole position to land the 26-year-old on a one-year loan deal with the option to buy him afterwards but Fellaini remains in Manchester after the Italian club failed to agree on compensation for the loan.

Even though the clubs are said to be in daily discussion over the fate of Fellaini, United and Napoli are believed to be €3m (£2.4m) apart in negotiations.

Meanwhile, the Naples-based side's president, Aurelio De Laurentiis, wants the Premier League club to pay half of his £3.2m wages, plus any bonuses he accrues at the Italian club.

Napoli boss and ex-Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has highlighted former Merseyside foe Fellaini as a replacement for Swiss international Valon Behrami, who has departed Italy for Germany and Hamburg.

The midfielder was absent from United's pre-season tour of America after being given time to rest following Belgium's quarter-final appearance at the World Cup in Brazil.

He returned to United's Aon training complex at Carrington to step up his fitness regime but is not thought to be named in United's squad for Van Gaal's first home match in charge against Valencia.

The former Everton player was signed for £27.5m on the final day of the summer transfer window last year by David Moyes but failed to make an impression at Old Trafford.

He made just 16 appearances for United without scoring and was seen as a symbol of the doomed Moyes era.