Manchester United’s search for a new striker continues, and reports suggest they could use Wayne Rooney as part of a deal to bring Romelu Lukaku to Old Trafford.
This is according to the Daily Express who claim José Mourinho will make a player-plus-cash offer to Everton in order to try to beat Chelsea to the Belgians signature.
Mourinho’s summer transfer plans have been thrown into chaos following the injury to Zlatan Ibrahimović, causing United to target a replacement for the Swede, rather than someone to play with him as originally planned. This has seen Manchester United shelve plans to sign Antoine Griezmann this summer, in favour of a traditional number 9.
Everton are believed to be holding out for a world record for fee of around £100million, something the Belgians agent agrees with.
Mino Raiola told talkSport:
“In two years time maybe £100million for a guy who makes 26 goals is a good deal
“The market will be ruled by the people who buy, so if there is a club that needs Lukaku and thinks he is worth £100million, then Everton are right.”
United could use Rooney to bring down the fee. The 31-year-old has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford this summer after falling down the pecking order.
He recently claimed that Everton and United were the only clubs in the Premier League that he would play for, although if Everton could afford Rooney’s wages is yet to be seen.
Other strikers on Manchester United radar are Torino striker Andrea Belotti and Real Madrid’s Alvaro Morata.
