Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho is reportedly set to see the club hijack Romelu Lukaku’s £100m move to Chelsea as they close in on a raid.
The 24-year-old is a man in demand this summer, as he’s coming off the back of his most prolific season yet having scored 25 goals in 37 Premier League games last year.
Both Chelsea and United are desperate to bolster their attacking options, and according to The Daily Mail, it could be the latter who win the race to snap up the Belgian international as he chooses between a Mourinho reunion or a second crack of the whip at Stamford Bridge.
It’s claimed that Mourinho is closing in on a reunion with Lukaku, and in turn will gazump Chelsea for the £100m-rated striker as the Red Devils look set to break the world transfer record again, just 12 months on from doing so with the signing of Paul Pogba.
Some will argue that the level of spending is out of control and not value for money, but United clearly have the financial power and will hope that their investments continue to result in success on the pitch.
While Lukaku could well be moving to Old Trafford, it’s claimed in the report that this could unlock Wayne Rooney’s return to Goodison Park.
The two clubs will have to settle on a compromise though as ultimately Everton can’t afford to cover all the costs, and so if the stalwart hasn’t got a place under Mourinho next season, then the Portuguese tactician could push the club to do what’s necessary to offload him.
It’s reported by the Mail that various options are being discussed. United could pay up the remaining two years of his contract and allow him to leave on a free transfer, or a season-long loan deal could be agreed upon with the English giants sharing his £230,000-a-week wages.
It remains to be seen whether or not that happens, but Mourinho will undoubtedly be keen to see a marquee signing up front arrive, having seen his side toil in front of goal last season while Zlatan Ibrahimovic will need to be replaced after leaving the club this summer.