No deal or fee has yet been agreed between Everton and Manchester United for the sale of striker Romelu Lukaku, senior sources at the Merseyside club have said.
The Belgium international has been pursued quietly for months and is said to have been the club’s main target, with Chelsea’s interest helping to cover that up.
It is understood United have ended their interest in Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata as a move for Lukaku edges closer, with the club hoping to get a deal over the line before heading to the United States on their pre-season tour.
United captain Wayne Rooney looks increasingly unlikely to be on the plane this Sunday, with a return to boyhood club Everton edging closer – a move that is not understood to be connected to the Lukaku deal.
With Zlatan Ibrahimovic having already left Old Trafford this summer however, the signing of Lukaku would presumably ease the way for Rooney to leave.
The 31-year-old’s future has been the subject of considerable speculation in recent months, with reports linking him with moves to the United States and China.
But a return to boyhood club Everton has always seemed a strong possibility too, and it would appear that does appeal hugely to the former England captain.
Rooney left Everton at the age of 18 in a £27million deal in 2004. He has since been one of United’s most influential players and overtook Sir Bobby Charlton to become the club’s record goalscorer last season.
He has also won five Premier League titles and the Champions League during his time at Old Trafford.
But aside from breaking Charlton’s record in January – and if he leaves he would do so with 253 United goals to his name – last season was a frustrating one.
Rooney was unable to command a regular starting place in Mourinho’s side and started just 15 Premier League games.
He is contracted until 2019 but it has been reported a deal could be reached allowing him to return to Everton, where he first burst onto the scene as a 16-year-old, on a free transfer.
Wayne Rooney during the Duncan Ferguson Testimonial game in 2015
His signing would also continue a busy summer of transfer activity at Everton. Deals for Michael Keane, Davy Klaassen, Sandro Ramirez and Jordan Pickford have already been completed with Olivier Giroud and Gylfi Sigurdsson also linked.
The departure of Lukaku would still leave a sizeable hole, however. The Belgian, who joined the club permanently from Chelsea for £28million three years ago after a successful loan, scored 25 Premier League goals last season.
His form led to reports that Everton valued him at £100million but they now appear to have accepted less.
His sale has seemed likely for some time with the player voicing a desire to play in the Champions League. It was widely assumed his destination would be Stamford Bridge but it now remains to be seen if the champions are willing to engage in a battle with United.
Provided by Press Association Sport
