Ronald Koeman will reportedly try to convince John Stones and Romelu Lukaku to stay at Everton.
According to The Mirror, Ronald Koeman will hold urgent talks with John Stones and Romelu Lukaku once he is confirmed as Everton manager.
Koeman, 53, will be leaving Southampton to join Premier League rivals Everton in the coming days, with The Mirror claiming that he may even be at Goodison Park later today to finalise his move.
England’s John Stones
The Dutchman, who led Southampton to two top seven finishes in his two season on the South Coast, will be charged with the task of rejuvenating an Everton side who have finished below Southampton in each of the last two seasons.
Koeman has allegedly been tempted with a £6m salary, and whilst he’ll have money to spend on new signings thanks to new shareholder Farhad Moshiri, it’s imperative that the former Feyenoord boss also keeps some of his key players too.
The Mirror report that one of Koeman’s first moves once he takes the job will be to hold talks with both defender John Stones and striker Romelu Lukaku, in a desperate bid to convince both players to stay at Goodison Park.
Stones, 22, had been touted as one of English football’s top young talents before regressing under Roberto Martinez, and despite his up-and-down season last term, many clubs would still love to sign the England international, with Manchester City and Manchester United keen according to The Telegraph.
Meanwhile striker Lukaku has hit 45 goals in 94 games for Everton since completing a permanent move from Chelsea in 2014, having smashed 16 goals in 33 games during a loan spell with the Toffees.
The 23-year-old centre forward had a slight dip in form to end the season, but is tipped to have a huge Euro 2016 campaign for Belgium – and The Mirror believe Chelsea and Manchester are both interested in the powerful striker.
Koeman will have a tough task convincing Everton’s top young talents to stay, but with talks planned before the start of Euro 2016, Everton may have hope yet with Koeman – a huge name during his playing days and as a manager – at the helm.
Do you think Koeman can convince Stones and Lukaku to stay?
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
