According to reports in the Daily Mail, Manchester United are ready to offer Wayne Rooney to Everton as part of a deal to sign Romelu Lukaku this summer.

What’s the word, then?

Well, Red Devils manager Jose Mourinho is stepping up his efforts to bring a new striker to Old Trafford at the end of the season following the serious knee injury suffered by Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and he is a big fan of the Belgian.

The Merseyside outfit are said to be demanding a world-record £100m fee to prise the Premier League’s top goalscorer away from Goodison Park, although Mourinho isn’t willing to spend that much.

However, he is ready to offer £17m-rated Rooney as part of the deal in order to bring that price down, although he could face competition from Lukaku’s former side Chelsea.

Would Lukaku be a good signing for United?

Britain Soccer Football - Everton v Burnley - Premier League - Goodison Park - 15/4/17 Everton's Romelu Lukaku celebrates scoring their third goal Reuters / Andrew Yates Livepic EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.

He certainly would be.

While Marcus Rashford has impressed in recent weeks, the Red Devils are still crying out for a prolific striker – especially if Ibrahimovic’s Old Trafford career has come to an end – and Lukaku has proven that he would answer that issue.

United have drawn a lot of matches at home in the Premier League this season that they perhaps should have won on paper, and he will be well aware that the Belgian has netted 70 goals in all competitions over the course of the previous three seasons.

Do Everton want Rooney?

Apparently they do, yes.

Ronald Koeman is keen to add some experienced Premier League players to his squad this summer and Rooney would be near the top of his list.

Even though he has become something of a bit-part player under Mourinho, the Dutchman will know that he still has plenty to offer for a team like Everton.

However, he is only said to rate him at £10m and the 31-year-old would need to take a significant wage cut in order to move back to his boyhood team.

What’s the verdict, then?

Having rejected the opportunity to sign a new long-term deal at Goodison Park, Lukaku has already confirmed that he wants to play Champions League football next term.

With that in mind, a move to United could depend on them winning the Europa League though as they look unlikely to finish in the top four through the Premier League.

If they don’t, the 24-year-old could favour a move to the champions.

https://video.footballfancast.com/video-2015/keane-wisdom.mp4