Manchester United Transfer News: Huge Romelu Lukaku Fee Amid Latest Rumours

Everton have reportedly slapped a staggering £65 million price tag on Manchester United target Romelu Lukaku as they brace themselves to sell him in the summer. 

Per John Cross in the Mirror, the Toffees publicly insist the Belgian striker is not for sale but they "face a losing battle to keep" him, with United, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich all interested.

The report added that Lukaku, 22, would become the fifth-most expensive player of all time—behind Gareth Bale, Cristiano ­Ronaldo, Neymar and Luis Suarez—if he is indeed sold for £65 million.

Undoubtedly he would be open to a move to a bigger club, having recently admitted he wants to be playing in the UEFA Champions League in the near future—Everton are 12th in the Premier League—per Sky Sports (via the Observer): "That is the next step for me. I’m 23 next summer and I think it would be nice to play in the Champions League from next season."

Bleacher Report's Dean Jones previously suggested United are a far more likely destination for Lukaku—assuming they qualify for the Champions League—than former club Chelsea:

United need another proven goalscorer in their attack, and Lukaku is uniquely placed as a youngster who is already immensely experienced and who could fit in perfectly with the likes of Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford at Old Trafford.

Despite being just 22, Lukaku is already well beyond the 50-goal mark in his Premier League career and has netted 18 times in 30 top-flight appearances this season, per WhoScored.com.

United are crying out for such a prolific player as their top scorer in the Premier League this season is Martial, who is still in single figures, per Squawka:

Lukaku's physicality would add a new dimension to the Red Devils' play, and he could also bring some much-needed creativity to their front line.

The transfer fee is likely to be a sticking point, though. Lukaku has an impressive record, but he has never proved himself at a top club and is arguably not worth £65 million.

United may have the funds to shell out such a fee but perhaps not on Lukaku.

They would be more likely to spend big money on Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo, who continues to be linked with a €60 million (£48.2 million) return to his old club, per talkSPORT.

However, Spanish football expert Guillem Balague believes it is more likely Ronaldo will end up at PSG than back at United:

It would not be the most forward-thinking of moves from United to splash huge cash on the 31-year-old Ronaldo as, despite his continued excellence, he is undoubtedly in the latter stages of his career.

The better move may be to negotiate with Everton and bring in Lukaku, who could be United's star man up front for the next decade.