Manchester United have agreed a fee with Everton for the transfer of striker Romelu Lukaku.
The Red Devils are understood to have struck a deal worth an initial £75million with the Merseysiders for the Belgium international.
The 24-year-old scored 25 goals in the Premier League last season for the Toffees but appears set to move to Old Trafford, subject to passing a medical and agreeing personal terms.
A statement on United’s website read: “Manchester United is delighted to announce that it has agreed a fee with Everton for the transfer of Romelu Lukaku.
“A further announcement will be made in due course.”
Lukaku has also been the subject of interest from former club Chelsea but United have made their move in a bid to reunite him with manager Jose Mourinho.
United are due to fly to California on Sunday to start their pre-season tour against the Los Angeles Galaxy the following weekend and Lukaku, who has been on holiday on the west coast of America, is staying in the United States for the time being.
Lukaku has been holidaying with close friend and United midfielder Paul Pogba and early on Friday morning the Red Devils’ £89million world-record signing posted an Instagram story of the pair training together in Los Angeles.
Reports on Friday night suggested Chelsea had matched United’s bid for the former Anderlecht forward, but the Premier League champions appear to have been pipped to the post.
News that a £75m transfer had been agreed for the in-demand striker broke on Thursday morning but senior Everton sources rebuffed the claims.
Now it appears a matter of when, not if, Lukaku will swap Goodison Park for pastures new in a deal that is reported to be worth around £100m in total.
Romelu Lukaku: 168 senior first-team goals, a month after turning 24.
— Daniel Storey (@danielstorey85) July 8, 2017
Alvaro Morata: 67 senior first-team goals, 8 months after turning 24.
It is understood talks are also gathering pace for Wayne Rooney’s return to Everton from Old Trafford.
Despite United sources initially denying Rooney’s departure was linked to the Lukaku transfer, reports on Friday suggested the club’s record goalscorer will be included in the package – consisting of a £75m fee up front, £15m in add-ons and a £10m valuation of their own striker.
Provided by Press Association Sport
