Manchester United Transfer News: Major Ross Barkley, Romelu Lukaku Rumours

Manchester United are reportedly eyeing an Everton double swoop, as £45-million rated Ross Barkley is set to become the club's top summer target, while manager Louis van Gaal has declared his admiration for star striker Romelu Lukaku.

According to Paul Hetherington of the Daily Star, the Red Devils are also looking at defender John Stones, but they feel he's not worth the reported £50 million price tag. Barkley also wouldn't come cheap, but after his wonderful 2015-16 campaign, the England international just might be worth a lofty investment.

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Per WhoScored.com, he has scored eight goals and added seven assists in the Premier League this season, playing a pivotal role in Everton's midfield. 

He's also been on point in other competitions and scored a screamer for the Toffees in the FA Cup against Carlisle:

Barkley has long been touted as a top talent, and he's quietly continued his development at Goodison Park. While his performances have been somewhat overshadowed by the emergence of Tottenham Hotspur star Dele Alli this season, Barkley has had a fantastic campaign of his own, and it's easy to see why clubs would be interested.

The attacking midfielder has a diverse skill set, and while it's sometimes hard to point at one facet of the game he dominates, he has very few weaknesses in the attacking third. It's that versatility that makes him such a special player―he will fit most systems and formations, and he'll usually find a way to impact the game.

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At Goodison Park, he has struck a wonderful partnership with Lukaku, who is once again enjoying a phenomenal season and has already bagged 18 Premier League goals, per WhoScored.com.

The Belgium international and his father have been hinting at a move to a club that plays UEFA Champions League football, per Sky Sports News HQ:

That's bad news for Everton and perhaps good news for United, who are still in the running to finish the Premier League season inside the top four and qualify for next year's edition of Europe's top club competition.

Andy Dunn of the Mirror suggested Lukaku and his agent aren't even all that interested in the Champions League―they're just using it as a tool to grab a big pay day, with massive clubs like Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich all mentioned as potential destinations.

Manchester United also belong on that list, and Van Gaal dropped a hint the Red Devils might be keen on a move during his pre-match press conference ahead of the clash with the Toffees, per the Mirror's Simon Mullock:

"

He (Lukaku) is very interesting. When you score a lot of goals, you are always a potential candidate for clubs. Football is like that.

When you look at scoring goals and making assists, he (Lukaku) does that at the highest level in the Premier League.

But I think every club in the world is comparing strikers.

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The Red Devils entered the 2015-16 campaign with some major question marks at the striker position, and while the emergence of youngsters Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial have given some hope for the future, certain questions still remain.

Wayne Rooney hasn't enjoyed a great season, and he hasn't reached the 20-goal mark in the Premier League since the 2011-12 campaign, per WhoScored.com. Banking on the 30-year-old to return to his best next season would be risky.

The same applies to counting on Rashford and Martial to not suffer a dip in form due to increased expectations. United are no longer battling for the title, which has taken a lot of weight off Rashford's shoulders, but it's not a good idea to ask an 18-year-old to lead the line at the start of the 2016-17 campaign.

Lukaku could be the answer for United, as he has the kind of scoring record in the Premier League that would make him a safe buy. The Belgian won't come cheap, but top talents never do.

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