Jose Mourinho is keen on the Belgian and is motivated to push ahead with a deal to ensure that former club Chelsea do not land their former player.

Everton have maintained from the outset that it will take a world-record £100 million for them to relinquish their talisman.

The Red Devils will even sweeten the deal by paying for part of Rooney's lofty wages, likely to be £180,000 per week -- in essence a £9.36 million payoff -- with Everton prepared to offer £150,000 per week.

Chelsea suffer blow in race for Alex Sandro

Chelsea's pursuit of Juventus left wing-back Alex Sandro suffered a minor blow as the Old Lady begrudgingly admitted defeat in their attempt to prematurely bring Leonardo Spinazzola back from his two-year loan to Atalanta.

The Bianconeri tried to cut short the loan in order to utilise Spinazzola in the upcoming campaign in white and black, but Sky Sport Italia's Gianluca Di Marzio insists that the clubs will honour the full length of the loan agreement. The 24-year-old will instead return to Turin in 2018.

Spinazzola was initially seen as a part-replacement for Sandro, if he were to join Chelsea, due to his ability to play left midfield and fill in as a left-back. Now Juve appear more intent on holding on to Sandro.

Epic Milan summer spree continues with Conti's arrival

AC Milan's relentless push to acquire star talent to boost the new era in red and black continues with the news that a deal for Atalanta right-back Andrea Conti is done, according to Gianluca Di Marzio.

The Rossoneri will pay La Dea €24 million (£21.1 million) for the Italy full-back, plus add in young midfielder Matteo Pessina as part of the deal.

Medical checks will be undertaken in the next two days at Milanello before the 23-year-old is unveiled, becoming the third part of a new-look back three with Ricardo Rodriguez and Mateo Musacchio.

Conte wants five new players

Antonio Conte will welcome Antonio Rudiger and Tiemoue Bakayoko before demanding five more players, reports the Telegraph.

The Italian wants to finalise a deal for Sandro, who could command a £60 million fee, before adding his former Porto colleague and compatriot Danilo.

Lukaku is the main target to replace Diego Costa, who appears destined to return to Atletico Madrid. Conte would also like another centre-back and a forward who can play wide.

Tap-ins

-- Adelaide United's 18-year-old prodigy Riley McGree is reportedly bound for Belgium's Club Brugge.

The Advertiser says that the Reds have reluctantly agreed to sell the midfielder and are looking at Stefan Mauk and Nathan Burns as possible replacements.

-- Watford are in talks with Chelsea about a permanent move for Nathaniel Chalobah, reports the Mirror.

The former England Under-21 international is still wanted at Stamford Bridge but believes he must move on to fulfill his potential with first-team football not an option with the Blues.

A £5 million fee with extra add-ons is being discussed, with Gareth Southgate ready to call the 22-year-old up to the Three Lions squad if he can gain regular starts.

-- Bournemouth and Brighton will go head to head for Toulouse striker Martin Braithwaite, according to the Mirror.

The 26-year-old, who has scored 11 Ligue 1 goals in back-to-back seasons with Les Pitchouns, would command a £12 million fee.