Manchester United are ready to waive a fee for Wayne Rooney as they look to smooth his departure from Old Trafford.

Rooney's agent Paul Stretford was pictured outside Everton chairman Bill Kenwright's London offices on Wednesday afternoon as they thrashed out a contract with the 31-year-old, who is currently on £230,000 a week at Old Trafford.

Sportsmail reported on May 12 how United were using Everton's interest in Rooney to help them in their bid to sign Romelu Lukaku.

Wayne Rooney was spotted shopping with his family at a supermarket in Cheshire

The Manchester United captain is closing in on a free transfer to Everton after talks this week

Rooney's agent Paul Stretford is seen at Everton chairman Bill Kenwright's offices on Thursday

United on Wednesday night agreed a £75million deal for Lukaku, which will include a sell-on fee to Chelsea, and possible add-ons.

Everton had been prepared to spend £10m on Rooney with £150,000 a week on wages. However, United's willingness to let him go for free allows more leeway on wage negotiations which are likely to involve commercial revenue also.

Rooney had one year left on contract at United with an option for a further year. He had originally held talks with Everton in March as it became clear his time at United was coming to a close with Jose Mourinho failing to see him as a first team regular, despite his influence on the dressing room.

Rooney is set to return to Goodison Park 13 years after he originally left for Old Trafford

Rooney departed Everton for United 13 years ago but the two clubs are negotiating a deal

Rooney returned to his Cheshire home earlier this week following an extended family holiday in Mykonos, where he mulled over his future amid lucrative offers from the Chinese Super League.

But while England's record goalscorer could have continued earning huge money in the Far East, staying in England with his family and starring for his beloved Everton in the Premier League proved too powerful a prospect.

Re-signing Rooney will be another significant statement from Everton, who have led the way in Europe this summer by spending £90m on goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, defender Michael Keane, midfielder Davy Klaassen and forward Sandro Ramirez.

Ronald Koeman is aiming to break the Premier League's top six next season and is also targeting a deal for Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud, whose future remains uncertain after the arrival of Alexandre Lacazette.

HOW SPORTSMAIL LED THE STORY Matt Lawton's exclusive story on Lukaku's move from the July 6 edition of The Daily Mail Advertisement

Everton have spent big after being financially backed by majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri

Arsenal star Olivier Giroud has emerged as another potential target for Everton this summer

United manager Mourinho made Lukaku his No 1 target in January and had pushed for him to be signed before the Belgian indicated a willingness to join Chelsea. That prompted United to instigate negotiations with Real Madrid over Alvaro Morata as a back-up plan.

However, United have maintained contact with Everton since March and agreed the fee for Lukaku ahead of their rivals Chelsea.

The deal will leave Antonio Conte fuming at Chelsea.

The champions could revive a bid for Morata, which they tried last year, but Conte's own future will also come back into focus.