TRANSFER HIJACK! Manchester United eye move for Chelsea target Romelu Lukaku

Manchester United have moved ahead of Chelsea in the race to sign Romelu Lukaku, according to reports.

The 24-year-old has been strongly linked with a return to Stamford Bridge after leaving the club back in 2014.

But the Red Devils have now turned their attentions towards the Belgian striker as negotiations for Real Madrid forward Alvaro Morata continue to drag on.

United boss Jose Mourinho is said to be keen on working with Lukaku again despite sanctioning his sale to Everton during his time as Chelsea manager.

And with Everton on the verge of bringing Wayne Rooney back to Goodison Park, the two clubs are set to enter into talks for a potential world record transfer for Lukaku. 

The Belgian, who scored 25 Premier League goals last season, turned down a new contract offer from the Merseyside club earlier this year and has spoken of his desire to play Champions League football.

His agent, Mino Raiola, exclusively told talkSPORT in May that Everton have promised his client he can leave this summer if "certain clubs come in for him".

Everton will demand £100m, however, for Lukaku - a fee which would see United break the world transfer record for a second successive summer after last year's £89m deal for Paul Pogba.