Chelsea had been seen as the front runners to sign the Belgium international until pictures emerged of him in Los Angeles with United midfielder Paul Pogba earlier this week, where the Reds are due to fly for their pre-season tour.

Though both clubs are said to have bid the same amount for Lukaku, Chelsea's lack of willing to match the fees his agent Mino Raiola would earn should he join United, are reported by the BBC to be the sticking point.

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Lukaku and Pogba share the same agent Raiola, the man responsible for the signing of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba by United last season – moves that were also widely anticipated due to pictures of the pair in the same city emerging on social media during the transfer window.

The 24-year-old's future has been the subject of intense speculation since last summer's transfer window when it was reported he had been convinced to stay on at Goodison Park for another season.

Lukaku previously played for Chelsea but was sold be then-manager and current boss at Manchester United, Jose Mourinho, to Everton for £28m in 2014.

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