Essien wants Lukaku to reunite with Mourinho at Man United

Former Chelsea enforcer Michael Essien says Romelu Lukaku had a “good” relationship with Jose Mourinho and can see the pair working together again.

The Everton striker is in demand, with Chelsea and Manchester United both eyeing a swoop for the Belgian striker.

But as it was Mourinho who sold Lukaku for £28million back in 2014 when he was Chelsea boss, many have speculated that a reunion at Old Trafford is unlikely.

That means former employers Chelsea are favourites to bring back Lukaku – but the fee could be as much as £70m.

But Essien, who currently plays for Indonesian club Persib Bandung, doesn’t think it’s out of the question for Lukaku to play for Mourinho once again.

Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, he said: “If Jose wants him and he wants to play for Jose then yes they can work together.

“They both have to want to work with each other for that to happen and if the desire is there then yes they can work together.”

Essien went on to play down any notion that the two “wouldn’t get on”.

The two worked together at Chelsea, before Romelu Lukaku was flogged to Everton for £28million.

Of their relationship during the pair’s time at Stamford Bridge he added: “In general it was good and normal.

“We all had different relationships with Jose and mine, as everyone knows, is like a father and son.

“I won’t say Romelu’s relationship with Jose was the same as mine but, in general, it was normal and they respected each other.”

Lukaku is likely to pocket weekly wages worth £160,000 – double the amount he currently earns at Goodison Park.

It’s said Everton would prefer to do business with United due to Ronald Koeman’s interest in Chris Smalling and Sergio Romero.

Mino Raiola has also been trying to persuade Lukaku to head to the Theatre of Dreams after sealing deals for Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Paul Pogba and Henrikh Mkhitaryan last summer.