West Ham United are planning to make a move for Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini when the transfer window opens next month.

The relegation-threatened Premier League club believe they have been encouraged that Jose Mourinho might be willing to allow the Belgium international to leave.

West Ham manager Slaven Bilic has considered making a move for Fellaini in the past and the versatile 29-year-old could also be used in attack given the club’s ongoing problems.

Bilic is being backed by West Ham’s owners although the situation could change quickly if he fails to pick up points in the games before Christmas. The club are considering their options as to whether they would then need to replace the under-pressure manager.

Fellaini started the season in Mourinho’s side but has not been in the line-up of late and came on last weekend to concede a penalty against his former club Everton from whom he was signed for £27million.