Manchester United Transfer News: Latest on Romelu Lukaku Amid Chelsea Rumours

Manchester United are reportedly "convinced" they will sign Everton striker Romelu Lukaku in time for the start of their pre-season tour of the U.S. on Sunday, despite Chelsea still being interested in the Belgium international, according to Jamie Jackson and Dominic Fifield of the Guardian.

Meanwhile, rumoured United target Alvaro Morata is reportedly set on signing for the Blues this summer after feeling snubbed by Red Devils' manager Jose Mourinho's interest in Lukaku, per Jack Pitt-Brooke of The Independent.

Jackson and Fifield revealed United's level of confidence: "The confidence at Old Trafford is such that sources have indicated the player, who is on holiday in Los Angeles, could be signed in time to join his new team-mates on their trip to the United States. United depart on Sunday for a five-game tour, and they hope to confirm the striker as the second most expensive signing in the club’s history, behind Paul Pogba."

OLI SCARFF/Getty Images

The report noted Lukaku would be undergoing his medical in Los Angeles. 

However, the report also detailed how Premier League champions Chelsea remain keen and haven't given up the chase for Lukaku just yet:

"Antonio Conte had identified Lukaku early on as his replacement for Diego Costa and the Premier League champions have noted Everton’s denial that a deal has been struck.

Their confidence appears to be forged on a belief that Lukaku’s preference has always been to rejoin the club he left in 2014 for £28m. Yet they are now under pressure to counter United’s offer, despite being unable, as yet, to off-load Costa. Atlético Madrid are expected to make a bid for the Spain forward, though it remains to be seen whether they match Chelsea’s valuation."

United's confidence that a deal for Lukaku can be struck comes after conflicting reports from earlier on Thursday. First, BBC Sport's Simon Stone said the Reds had agreed a fee worth £75 million for the striker.

However, Sky Sports News HQ soon revealed the Toffees had refuted any such agreement was in place:

Stuck in the middle of United's tussle with the Blues over Lukaku is Morata, an attacker reportedly also wanted by both clubs. The deal United are said to have agreed for Lukaku is also said to mean the end of the Old Trafford club's interest in Morata, per Stone:

Now Morata is prepared to join the Blues, as he feels slighted by Mourinho's pursuit of Lukaku, per Pitt-Brooke. The report described Morata as "surprised and stranded" by the Red Devils' moves to sign Lukaku: "The Real Madrid striker was convinced as late as Wednesday that he was days away from being a United player and that he would soon be on a plane on their tour of the USA next week."

Morata is said to be hoping Chelsea manager Antonio Conte will renew his interest in him. The Blues have been linked with the Spain international, but they want La Liga champions Real Madrid to lower their £70 million asking price, per Spanish source AS (h/t Metro's Mark Brus).

TF-Images/Getty Images

As this transfer plot thickens, Morata isn't the only mooted United target potentially left in limbo by the possible signing of Lukaku. Chelsea defensive midfielder Nemanja Matic thinks Conte's reaction to United's move for Lukaku could scupper his own switch to Old Trafford, according to Simon Jones of MailOnline.

United had been linked with a £35 million swoop for Matic, per David McDonnell of the Daily Mirror. Yet it seems as though Mourinho's pursuit of a new centre-forward will put the rest of the club's transfer plans on hold, at least temporarily.

In fairness to Mourinho, United already have ample options in the deep areas of midfield, with Michael Carrick and Ander Herrera still on hand. Acquiring a striker who will find the net regularly is a more pressing need for a team plagued by 15 draws in the league last season, many of which were the result of struggling to score at home against sides United would normally be expected to beat.

OLI SCARFF/Getty Images

As a player experienced in scoring in England's top flight, Lukaku is a more suitable target than Morata, despite Mourinho once selling the former while in charge at Chelsea.

Now the Portuguese coach must convince a player he once shunned to turn his back on his old club and work with him in Manchester.