Everton star Romelu Lukaku is one of the best strikers in the Premier League.
Andy Gray has told talkSPORT that for Everton to keep hold of Romelu Lukaku, they need to qualify for Europe.
Lukaku is one of the best strikers in the Premier League and has been in good form for Everton so far this season.
The 23-year-old striker has scored seven goals and created 19 chances in nine league matches for the Toffees so far this campaign.
Former Everton striker Gray has suggested that the Belgium international could leave the Merseyside outfit if Ronald Koeman’s side fail to qualify for Europe.
“The best way Everton can keep Romelu Lukaku is by qualifying for Europe,” Gray told talkSPORT. “And I think there is a massive onus on them to do that.
“With his goals they can go close and with a little bit of luck they might go closer and with Koeman at the helm (and I do like Koeman as boss of Everton) then it might just be their year.”
“Will he stay for the Europa League? Probably not,” added Gray. “If they can’t produce Champions League football then he may, if given the opportunity to play Champions League football at another club, he may leave in the next year or two. I’m hoping he won’t and that’ll mean Everton are in the Champions League.”
Everton are a big club and have made a strong start to the season, but it is unlikely that they will finish in the top four of the Premier League this season.
Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool all are aiming to win the league.
It will be hard for the Toffees to even end up in the top six, and if Lukaku continues to bang in the goals, then it could be hard for Everton to keep hold of him in the summer.
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