Premier League fans were stunned this morning when the BBC reported that Manchester United had agreed to a fee for the services for Romelu Lukaku. They had, seemingly, won the race with Chelsea to sign him and quickly ended their interest in alternative target Alvaro Morata.
Romelu Lukaku transfer rumors: Manchester United transfer not agreed, Chelsea still in the race
On Thursday, the BBC reported that Manchester United had won the race to sign Romelu Lukaku. Apparently, that isn’t true.
Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images
But apparently someone in United’s camp goofed. Sky Sports’ Jim White quickly called the report “incorrect,” while the Mirror’s Darren Lewis said Chelsea is still in contention to sign Lukaku. Everton also issued a denial that they’d agreed to sell Lukaku.
Wondering what happened? It sounds like someone at United got really excited about recent developments and blabbed too early. The BBC cited a “senior Manchester United source,” and apparently it was one senior enough that they felt comfortable printing the story before getting comment from Everton or Lukaku’s agent.
While Chelsea have been assumed to be favorites to sign Lukaku all summer, don’t assume that United is totally out of it. Reports of Lukaku and Jose Mourinho’s dislike of each other were probably overblown, and United has made it clear that their top priority is to sign a striker.
How this ends is anyone’s guess. All we know is that Everton is going to get a lot of money eventually.
Goal of the day
This 30-yard free kick by Sebastian Giovinco. (@torontofc)
In the news
Theo Hernandez is finally a Real Madrid player. (Managing Madrid)
Vicente Iborra has joined Leicester from Sevilla. (LCFC)
Swansea has replaced Leon Britton with Roque Mesa, the Spanish Leon Britton. (Swansea)
Mario Götze is back in training after receiving treatment for a metabolic disorder. (Bundesliga)
Former Southampton coach Bob Higgins has been charged with 65 counts of abuse. (Guardian)
CONCACAF is going to throw out fans and mute crowd noise on TV if they hear homophobic chants at Gold Cup. (SI)
You should be reading
Daniel Storey on the future of safe standing. (The Set Pieces)
Karan Tejwani on the incredible accomplishments and loyalty of Darijo Srna. (These Football Times)
Mark Thompson on how to scout center backs statistically. (Stats Bomb)
Fun with transfer rumors
Despite a transfer ban, Atlético Madrid is bidding for Diego Costa. (Guardian)
Atléti’s Jose Giménez admits he wants to play in the Premier League. (AS)
Leicester City would like to sign Kelechi Iheanacho from Manchester City. (ESPN)
Arsene Wenger has reportedly told Hector Bellerin that he cannot leave for Barcelona. (Marca)
PSG is apparently willing to break the bank to sign Philippe Coutinho. (Sport)
AC Milan will go after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang if he doesn’t move to China. (Football Italia)
