Gary Lineker has revealed on Twitter that he has known for three months that Romelu Lukaku is heading from Everton to Manchester United.
The 20-times league champions announced on their official social media accounts on Saturday morning that they have agreed a fee with the Merseysiders for the transfer of the striker, although they stressed that the deal is not yet completed as a medical has not been completed and personal terms not yet agreed.
#MUFC is delighted to announce a fee has been agreed with Everton for the transfer of Romelu Lukaku, subject to a medical & personal terms. pic.twitter.com/O7oQJWzYHo
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 8, 2017
United revealed in a follow-up message on Twitter that a second announcement will follow when the transfer is finalised, but their initial public revelation is a clear sign that the deal will soon be done.
A further announcement will be made in due course.
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 8, 2017
Former Middlesbrough striker Jan Aage Fjortoft claimed immediately afterwards on Twitter that he had known for a month that Lukaku would join United.
“I knew three months ago,” Match of the Day host and former Everton forward Lineker responded to Fjortoft, accompanied by a winking emoji.
I knew 3 months ago ????
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) July 8, 2017
Lineker, who has 6.2million Twitter followers, has excellent contacts in the industry after following a glittering playing career with an equally successful one in broadcasting that has kept him in touch with the highest level of the sport.
United have not divulged the fee they will pay Everton for the powerful forward but it has been widely reported, including by ESPN FC, that he will cost around £90million including performance-related add-ons.
That would make it a world-record deal, and more than the £89million that the 20-times league champions paid Juventus for Paul Pogba 12 months ago.
The Merseysiders have long accepted that they would lose Lukaku after he made it clear earlier this year that he would snub a new contract offer to sign for a Champions League club.
Koeman’s side have been the most active Premier League club in this summer’s transfer window, signing five senior players to date, including striker Sandro Ramirez from Malaga for £5.2million.