Manchester United have stolen a march on Chelsea by agreeing a fee with Everton for Romelu Lukaku.

United have been locked in talks with Real Madrid over Alvaro Morata and a deal was close to being agreed, but they have now turned their attentions to Lukaku instead and have agreed terms on the deal.

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Everton have accepted a £75million offer for the 24-year-old from United, who have helped smooth over the deal after they gave the green-light for Wayne Rooney to move back to Goodison Park.

Whilst the Rooney and Lukaku deals are not directly linked, Everton sources have admitted that this has no doubt helped in terms being agreed on both.

Chelsea had been odds-on to land Lukaku for much of the summer, after the player made it clear he would not be signing a new deal at Everton – but they have thus far been unable to agree terms with Everton.

Now United have beaten them to the punch and look set to seal a deal before the weekend in what is the most dramatic move of the transfer window so far.

It remains to be seen if Chelsea will launch a counter-offer for their top targets.

Most Bookmakers were still taking offers on United this morning – but the majority have all closed their books following the news that United had agreed terms.

BetVictor are offering Man United at 1/4 to sign Lukaku and, 11/4 for Chelsea.

Alex Apati of Ladborkes said: “We’re taking no chances here. After slashing Lukaku’s odds of a move to United on several occasions already, our traders have decided to close the book.”

We spoke to UnitedEnd editor Tom McDermott to get his reaction on the news.

“Lukaku is the ready to go proven Premier League striker Mourinho likes,” he told TheGamblingTimes.com.

“No risk, plenty of goals and added competition for Rashford and Martial. Huge kick in the teeth for Chelsea but what happens now with Morata? watch this space…”

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