Man United agree deal for Everton's Lukaku
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E-mail Shanghai Daily, July 7, 2017
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Lukaku scored 25 Premier League goals for Everton last season. |
Manchester United has agreed a 75-million pound (US$97 million) deal for Everton striker Romelu Lukaku, a source close to the negotiations said yesterday.
The move, which is not linked to any talks of a Wayne Rooney deal in the opposite direction, is expected to be formally announced within the next 36 hours.
Lukaku had been United's No. 1 target for next season, the source said.
United will not now be pursuing any interest in Real Madrid's Alvaro Morata.
"Chelsea's interest in Lukaku allowed United to fly under the radar on this," the source said. "But he has been the club's No. 1 target."
There had been much speculation that the Belgian international would return to Chelsea, which he joined in 2011.
The 24-year-old Lukaku will have to finalize personal terms and undergo a medical examination before a transfer can be completed to United, where he would be linking with manager Jose Mourinho for a second time.
Mourinho was Chelsea manager when Lukaku was sold to Everton in 2014 after the Belgium international failed to establish a first-team place and had to spend most of his time on loan at West Bromwich Albion and Everton.
Lukaku played only a few games under Mourinho at Chelsea. But strengthening the strike force has been a priority for Mourinho ahead of his second season in charge at United after Zlatan Ibrahimovic was released.
Last season the 1.90-meter Lukaku became the first Everton player since Bob Latchford to score 25 goals in two consecutive seasons in all competitions.
On Wednesday, Arsenal signaled its intention to make an immediate return to the English Premier League's elite by paying a club-record 60 million euros (US$68 million) to sign Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette, one of Europe's most prolific players in recent years.
Arsenal said on its website the 26-year-old "has agreed to join us on a long-term contract, for an undisclosed fee".
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