Lukaku closes in on new deal – but it doesn’t mean he’ll stay
Published:
Everton hotshot Romelu Lukaku is set to agree a new five-year mega-bucks deal at Goodison Park – but a crucial factor suggests it doesn’t mean he’s staying.
It’s been widely reported this week that the Belgian’s new deal will see him earn upwards of £110,000-a-week, but it retains a stipulation that he can leave for any of Europe’s biggest clubs.
The deal effectively means Everton are now guaranteed to receive a significant sum for their star asset, while Lukaku gets to carry on banging in the goals until a big offer comes forward.
The 23-year-old has been linked with an exit from Merseyside for the last few years, and is arguably in better form than ever this term.
With 18 goals, Lukaku has already matched his best for any Premier League campaign, and is well poised to smash the 20-goal barrier.
Many are also noting his improved link-up play and off-the-ball assets too, and the result is that the former Chelsea man is set to be very much in demand this summer.
Lukaku has been with Everton since 2013 and joined the club permanently a year later.
But unless the Toffees and boss Ronald Koeman can prove they are about to step-up into the top four and land Champions League football, they seem unlikely to retain hold of their number 10 for much longer.
Chelsea have been repeatedly linked with a move, while Paris Saint-Germain and Atletico Madrid have been touted as potential destinations on the continent.
A move to Arsenal has been widely reported too, and that could get further momentum this summer if the Gunners’ spat with Alexis Sanchez leads to the Chilean quitting the Emirates.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
