Man United eye top transfer target: Everton braced for bumper £45m bid

Posted Sunday, April 03, 2016 by Dailystar.co.uk

ROSS BARKLEY is in Manchester United's sights – and not just because he faces them today at Old Trafford.

INCOMING: Will Barkley join United?

Starsport can reveal the England midfielder is United's top target at Everton.

That's despite Louis van Gaal admitting Everton striker Romelu Lukaku is a "potential candidate" for clubs like United.

But United also intend adding to their midfield and £45million-rated Barkley, 22, is back on their radar.

Van Gaal, meanwhile, said of £50million Lukaku: "I think every club in the world is comparing strikers.

"When you score a lot of goals, you are always a potential candidate for clubs.

"Football is like that. When you give the results expected of a striker, making goals and giving assists – and he does that at the highest level – then he is always very interesting."

But a stumbling block with Lukaku, 22 is United don't want to deal with his agent Mino Raiola after his role in taking Paul Pogba from Old Trafford to Juventus on a free transfer.

United also like Everton defender John Stones, 21, but feel he is overpriced at £50million.

But it would be a surprise if Everton managed to hang onto them all and no club is eyeing the Goodison talent more than United.