Roberto Martinez says Everton broke all established rules to sign Romelu Lukaku.
Everton’s Romelu Lukaku with manager Roberto Martinez after being substituted
Belgium manager, Roberto Martinez, says that Romelu Lukaku was a landmark signing for Everton. However, he refused to comment whether the Belgian striker was his best signing till date.
Lukaku joined Everton for a club record transfer fee of £28m in 2014, according to Sky Sports, and eclipsed the fee Everton paid for his Belgium compatriot Marouane Fellaini in 2008.
The 23-year-old has established himself as a prolific goalscorer for the Toffees, scoring 49 goals in the Premier League since he signed for the club permanently.
Looking back on his major signing, Martinez revealed that the club broke all the established rules to sign the Belgian.
“It depends what you consider the best signing. Victor Moses became a really special player with Wigan, Ashley Williams became captain at Swansea, James McCarthy and Gareth Barry were really important for me at Everton,” he said in an interview with FourFourTwo magazine.
“But Romelu was different – you were breaking all the established rules to bring him to the club. In my eyes, potentially, he was worth more money. We knew he’d become the player he is now.”
Martinez admits that he is unsure whether Everton can keep hold of their star player in the summer.
Lukaku is being reportedly chased by his former club Chelsea, according to The Mirror, while the player himself has refused to sign a new contract extension.
Martinez believes that it is important for Everton to sell a player on their own terms if they are forced to sell.
“It’s difficult to say. What’s important is that as a club, if you lose a player, you lose him on your own terms,” he added.
Martinez is absolutely spot on here. Everton have tried their best in persuading Lukaku to stay put, but he probably has decided to leave the club. The Belgian has a contract at the club till 2019, and Everton should try to secure maximum profit from his potential transfer.
Everton’s Romelu Lukaku in action
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