anchester United have stolen Romelu Lukaku from under the noses of Chelsea by agreeing a £75 million deal with Everton for the Belgium striker.
United hope to formally conclude a deal for Lukaku before the club fly to Los Angeles on Sunday for the start of their pre-season tour of the US.
Wayne Rooney is likely to join Everton in return although that is being treated as a separate deal, even if the Merseyside club’s interest in the England striker will have helped facilitate the move for Lukaku. United have now ended their interest in Real Madrid and Spain striker Alvaro Morata.
Lukaku’s impending transfer to Old Trafford is likely to infuriate Chelsea manager Antonio Conte, who had told the Premier League champions to sign the Belgian at any expense.
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.