Man United move for Lukaku

LONDON. – Manchester United are poised to sign Romelu Lukaku in a £75million deal.

United bosses have agreed a fee with Everton for the Belgium striker and are expected to confirm his signing within the next 24 hours. But Everton sources say no deal or agreement has been reached.

The move for Lukaku is not connected to talks aimed at taking United forward Wayne Rooney to Everton. Manchester United are determined to sign a new striker following Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s departure.

It emerged on Wednesday night that Jose Mourinho’s top target was in fact Romelu Lukaku, following the frustration at move for Alvaro Morata. Real Madrid were playing hard ball and United have now pulled out of a move for the Spain striker.

And United have ramped up their interest in Lukaku and agreed a £75million fee. Lukaku had been expected to return to Chelsea but they have been caught cold on a deal after being quoted £100million by Everton.

Everton are still furious with Chelsea over their moves for John Stones and would prefer to deal with United – despite Mourinho instigating that move while at Chelsea. Lukaku has agreed a long-term contract at Old Trafford worth £250 000-a-week.

The mega deal for Lukaku will see United end their interest in Real Madrid forward Alvaro Morata. United executive vice chairman Ed Woodward vowed to move “heaven and earth” to beat rivals Chelsea to Lukaku.

Missing out on Lukaku is a huge blow to Blues boss Antonio Conte, who will be demanding answers from Stamford Bridge chiefs.

With Diego Costa poised to return to Atletico Madrid, the champions now face the prospect of going back to the drawing board in their search for a new striker.

Reports claimed Lukaku endured a difficult relationship with Mourinho after the Portuguese decided to sell him to the Toffees in 2013 for £28m when he was Blues boss.

But the pair have patched up their differences and that Lukaku is relishing the chance to play for Mourinho once again.

Woodward has been under pressure to deliver new signings since the end of the season.

Mourinho had become frustrated at the lack of progress United had made in the transfer market, but will be thrilled that Lukaku has now been snared ahead of his former club.

Lukaku (23) is now expected to put the finishing touches to his move before joining the United squad on Sunday when they leave for their pre-season tour of America.

Lukaku wants to quit Everton so he can challenge for the Premier League and Champions League. United are hopeful the player will sign by Sunday, when they jet out for their pre-season tour of America.

And United captain Wayne Rooney is expected to head in the opposite direction.

The United skipper left Everton in 2004 but, after struggling under Mourinho last season, a return to Goodison Park is on the cards. Chelsea had been hopeful of signing Lukaku but the Blues will now be forced to turn their attentions to alternative targets.

And the Blues could now turn to Morata, who worked with Antonio Conte while at Juventus. Morata is still keen to leave Madrid with Florentino Perez hopeful of signing Kylian Mbappe.

And Chelsea may look to take advantage of that by moving for the striker but Conte will be furious if another target gets away from him. – The Daily Star.