Is there a better striker in the Premier League than Romelu Lukaku right now? Ask any Everton fan in the Transfer Tavern this question and the answer will be a resounding no.
The Belgian netted AGAIN on the on the weekend as his Toffees side beat West Brom 3-0 to take his league tally to a whopping 19 this term, moving him above his previous best campaign in divisional action – in 2015/16 he netted 18 times.
Amid talk of his contract being extended, which his agent, Mino Raiola, said is “99.99999999%” certain to happen, fans of the club are eager to see him put pen to paper, so his comments after the Saturday victory, in which he played down talk of being close to a new deal, have generated some fear.
Are you going to sign that new contract?
– Lukaku: “No.”
Are you still reflecting about it?
– RL: “No.”
Is there an agreement?
– RL: “No.” pic.twitter.com/dgJYyJUBur— Kristof Terreur (@HLNinEngeland) March 13, 2017
And now a report from the Telegraph has heaped more doubt on the situation, with a proposed release clause of at least £90m a sticking point in negotiations.
It’s understood that Ronald Koeman is desperate to tie the player down, as are the club as a whole, but they do not want a get out fee in the region of £60m – £70m included in any terms, as they see this as a realistic route for the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea to lure him away.
The mooted figure Everton are looking for would make the 23-year-old the most expensive player in the history of the beautiful game, narrowly edging out Paul Pogba, another client of Raiola’s.
Will Romelu Lukaku be at Everton in 2017/18?
