Manchester United's hopes of signing Romelu Lukaku seem to increase on Friday after pictures emerged of the Belgian striker training with Paul Pogba.
According to widespread media reports, United had a £75 million (Dh357m) bid accepted by Everton for Lukaku on Thursday. Lukaku, who is thought to have agreed a £250,000 a week contract with United, will reportedly undergo a medical in Los Angeles, with the club hoping to tie up the deal before the start of pre-season on Sunday.
While there has been no official confirmation from either United or Everton in regards to the negotiations, the images of Lukaku and United midfielder Pogba training together will only enhance the speculation.
Lukaku and Pogba are on holiday together in Los Angeles and the pictures, posted to Pogba's Instagram story, show the two footballers training at a sports complex.
It has been reported that Lukaku should have reported back to Everton for pre-season on Thursday, which suggests he will be leaving the club imminently.
Until United's bid on Thursday, it was widely reported that Chelsea were in pole position to re-sign Lukaku, who left Stamford Bridge in 2014 having barely featured for the club since signing as an 18-year-old in 2011.
Should Chelsea miss out on signing their former player, it will only add to what has been a frustrating summer for Chelsea manager Antonio Conte, who will be faced with a striker crisis just five weeks before the start of the new Premier League season.
Chelsea's current lead striker Diego Costa, who scored 20 goals last season to help his side reclaim the Premier League title, has been informed - by text message no less - that he is not part of Conte's future plans.
With Costa heading for the exit and Lukaku seemingly on his way to United, it is back to the drawing board for Conte as he searches for a striker to lead his line next season.
Conte has also seen a lack of movement over two more of his preferred transfer targets, with Monaco midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko and Juventus wing-back Alex Sandro no closer to joining the London club.
