United leading race to sign Lukaka as Rooney heads towards Old Trafford exit

Manchester United are edging closer to a deal to sign striker Romelulukakufromeverton, although the progress they thought they had made was knocked back yesterday by the Merseysiders who countered claims that a £75 million fee had been agreed by insisting no deal has been struck.

That has left Chelsea, who appeared front-runners to resign their former player, with an opening to still make a late intervention.

Everton will hope that is the case as it increases the chances of a bidding war to take the price closer to the £100m tag they privately put on the 24-year-old Belgium international. However, they may have to accept less for a player who has regularly voiced his desire to play in the Champions League.

United captain Wayne Rooney looks increasingly unlikely to be on the plane bound for their pre-season USA tour this Sunday, with a return to boyhood club Everton getting closer – a move that is not understood to be connected to the Lukaku deal.

With Zlatan Ibrahimovic having already left Old Trafford, the signing of Lukaku should ease the way for Rooney to leave.