Transfer talk: Man United want Everton’s Lukaku, Man City to bid for Arsenal midfielder

Romelu Lukaku has emerged as a transfer target for Manchester United. Glyn Kirk / AFP

A round-up of the biggest football transfer stories including Manchester United’s reported interest in Everton striker Romelu Lukaku.

Manchester United

Manchester United are set to switch their focus to Everton striker Romelu Lukaku if they fail in their attempts to sign Atletico Madrid's Mario Mandzukic, according to The Sun.

United are in the market for a consistent goal-scorer following a season that saw their three main front-men, Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie, and Radamel Falcao amass just 26 league goals between them.

Falcao has since left Old Trafford, with the club refusing to take on the Colombian striker following a dismal loan spell, while there remain question marks over Van Persie’s long-term future.

It has led manager Louis van Gaal short of attacking options, and the Dutchman has targeted Croatian forward Mandzukic as his top priority.

However, The Sun has reported that should United fail to land Mandzukic, Van Gaal will make an attempt to sign Belgian Lukaku.

While Lukaku endured a frustrating season last year, totalling just 10 league goals, the Belgian is a proven Premier League striker, and at 22-years-old would be a long-term option for United.

Everton are reportedly reluctant to sell their club record signing, and with four years remaining on his contract, are under no immediate pressure to do so.

While Everton are in a position of strength, Lukaku has made his desire to compete in the Uefa Champions League clear, and should the striker rock the boat, he may force the Goodison Park club to the negotiating table.

Manchester City

Crossing to the blue half of Manchester, and Premier League runners-up City have set their sights on Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere, according to reports in the British media.

City appear to be focusing their transfer strategy on acquiring the finest English talent, and their interest in Liverpool forward Rahemm Sterling is well-documented.

Now, according to the Daily Mirror, City will make an initial £30 million (Dh175m) offer to Arsenal for Wilshere.

The midfielder was in fine form for England on Sunday, his two goals helping his national team to a 3-2 victory over Euro qualifying rivals Slovenia.

And City are wasting little time in identifying transfer targets as they look to wrestle the Premier League title away from Chelsea.

Aside from Sterling and Wilshere, the Abu Dhabi-owned club have been linked to Wolfsburg playmaker Kevin De Bruyne and Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba.

Juventus

In another report from The Sun, Serie A champions Juventus have opened talks with Chelsea over a move for attacking midfielder Oscar.

Juve are eager to bolster their midfield options should Paul Pogba leave Turin this summer, and have made Oscar their top target.

According to The Sun, Juventus will open with a bid of £18m for the 23-year-old Brazilian, although it remains unclear what Chelsea and Jose Mourinho's stance is.

Oscar endured an inconsistent season, with spells of brilliance mixed with anonymous displays, but while his form was far from stellar, Mourinho has previously made it clear that he intends to build a team around the playmaker.

An attractive offer from Juve may force the hand of Chelsea, who are not lacking options in the attacking midfield area.

Galatasaray

Turkish giants Galatasaray have entered the race to sign Manchester United striker Robin van Persie, according to reports in the British media.

Van Persie’s United future is far from certain after an injury-hit campaign that produced just 10 league goals.

Indeed, the Dutch striker has admitted he is unsure of his Old Trafford future, and according to the Manchester Evening News, Galatasaray are keen to sign the 31-year-old.

Despite their interest, Van Persie’s £250,000 a week wages a sure to cause a stumbling block.

Liverpool

Liverpool finally look likely to land England fullback Nathaniel Clyne after Southampton reportedly agreed a deal for his replacement.

Clyne has been the subject of ongoing interest from Liverpool, who have seen two successive bids rejected by Southampton.

However, according to the Liverpool Echo, Clyne's switch to Anfield is edging closer, with the two clubs nearing an agreement on the £15m-rated defender, and Southampton close to finalising a deal for Sporting Lisbon's Cedric Soares.

Clyne’s arrival would make him the fourth player to arrive at Anfield this summer behind James Milner, Danny Ings, and Adam Bogdan.

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