Manchester United Transfer News: Ed Woodward Meeting Fuels Romelu Lukaku Rumours

Reports linking Manchester United with want-away Everton striker Romelu Lukaku have intensified after Red Devils executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward was pictured meeting with the player's agent, Mino Raiola.

Not long after Lukaku expressed dissatisfaction with the Toffees' lack of ambition, Ben Grounds of MailOnline reported Raiola was spotted at the Lowry Hotel, United's base for Thursday's UEFA Europa League clash against Rostov:

It all seems too conveniently timed given it was only two days ago that Lukaku rejected a new £130,000-a-week contract at Goodison Park and allegedly won't agree a new deal, per the Daily Mail's Dominic King.

Speaking at a Kick It Out event on Tuesday, Lukaku expressed his desire to win trophies during his career, and Woodward's meeting with Raiola could provide him with the transfer he needs to do just that:

It's worth noting Raiola also represents incumbent Old Trafford stars Paul Pogba, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, although it's rare for agents of his stature to be seen for anything less than urgent business.

Lukaku could yet salvage his relationship with the Goodison Park hierarchy, but the forward has made it clear he's expecting a busy summer if they're to be successful in that regard, per the Telegraph's Chris Bascombe:

It's also been reported by Jack Wilson of the Daily Star that Raiola and Woodward "have now become friends following their regular transfer dealings," with last summer's influx of star talent presumably bringing the two together.

Raiola's appearance comes at an interesting time for United's attack, too, considering Ibrahimovic's one-year contract expires at the end of this season, with no clear indicator as of yet in regards to whether he'll sign an extension.

It makes matters much easier that United would need only conduct business with one agent in case they decide to hunt Lukaku as an Ibrahimovic replacement, and BBC Sport's Simon Stone reported the LA Galaxy want the Swede.

Lukaku may also find his relationships at Goodison have been hurt as a result of his outspoken comments, and manager Ronald Koeman was one figure who took umbrage with his quotes, per JOE.ie's Tony Barrett:

Even with the reliable scoring force of Ibrahimovic in attack this season, however, United have struggled to regain their former status as Premier League frontrunners, showing their issues are far more deep-rooted.

That being said, fans will be pleased to see Woodward taking the initiative in any apparent attempt to bring in one of Europe's deadliest finishers not long after he expressed all is not well on Merseyside.