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Everton leaked Man Utd interest for Romelu Lukaku to make Chelsea bid - Gabriele Marcotti
EVERTON leaked Manchester United's interest in Romelu Lukaku and did so to make Chelsea act fast, according to European football expert Gabriele Marcotti.
Romelu Lukaku teases Man United fans with video of Reds shirt
Lukaku has been the subject of plenty of transfer speculation ever since telling Everton he would not sign a new contract towards the end of last season.
Chelsea had shown the most interest in the Belgian as Manchester United were looking to complete a move for Real Madrid forward Alvaro Morata.
However, in a stunning turn of events, the Red Devils have gone back in for Lukaku and agreed a £75million fee.
United skipper Wayne Rooney is set to return to Everton and could be part of the deal for Lukaku.
Gabriele Marcotti says Everton may have leaked Man Utd's interest in Romelu Lukaku
Everton are trying to get Chelsea to come up with a serious bid, trying to test Manchester United's resolve
Marcotti reckons the news has broken to allow Chelsea to stump up the cash the Toffees want for their all-time top scorer in the Premier League.
"United have (previously) been linked with Lukaku as well," Marcotti said on ESPN FC.
"You can draw other elements into this, the fact that Mourinho is supposedly frustrated at the fact that at this stage of the summer, all they've brought in so far is Victor Lindelof.
Gabriele Marcotti says Everton want to accelerate the sale of Romelu Lukaku to Man Utd or Chelsea
"My reading of this is that you've got United talking to Everton over Rooney, we know that, why not accelerate this by pushing Lukaku along as well?
"If I had to guess I would say this story originates with Everton and I think it's a way of trying to keep the gears in motion.
"Trying to get Chelsea to come up with a serious bid, trying to test United's resolve if they really want Lukaku or whether they're still operating on Morata."
Lukaku scored 25 goals in the Premier League last season for Everton, four behind Tottenham's Harry Kane, who won the Golden Boot with 29 thanks to seven goals in his last two outings of the campaign.
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