Manchester United have agreed a £75m deal for Everton striker Romelu Lukaku, stealing the player from under the noses of Chelsea to set up the biggest deal of the transfer window so far.
According to the Daily Telegraph, the deal could even be finalised before United fly to Los Angeles on Sunday for the start of their pre-season tour of the US.
The transfer could also pave the way for Wayne Rooney to rejoin his boyhood club, although any deal for the former England captain between the two clubs would remain separate.
However, things may not go completely smoothly as Sky Sports claims its sources at Everton say “no deal has yet been agreed” for Lukaku.
Despite caution on Merseyside, The Guardian reports that, “United believe they will secure the second most expensive signing in their history behind Paul Pogba”.
And the ramifications will be felt in London as well as Manchester and Liverpool.
The transfer will “infuriate” Chelsea manager Antonio Conte, who had his heart set on the Belgian frontman, reports the Telegraph.
“Chelsea were thought to be the favourites to sign Lukaku but United have been happy for that theory to gather pace in recent weeks as they worked quietly behind the scenes to secure a deal for the 24-year-old,” says the paper, which describes the deal as “another triumph for Mino Raiola, Lukaku’s agent who also oversaw Paul Pogba’s world record £89m move to Old Trafford last summer”.
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