The striker had looked set to leave Goodison Park this summer but ended up staying.
Everton manager Ronald Koeman
Everton manager Ronald Koeman has admitted in his pre-match press conference that it will be difficult for the club to keep hold of Romelu Lukaku.
There was fierce speculation about the Belgian striker this summer after he and his agent Mino Raiola made it clear he would like to play for a Champions League club.
He ended up staying at Goodison Park, though, and current has four goals in his last two games.
This week saw Raiola change his tune on his client’s future, telling the Daily Mail that Lukaku is “really happy [there] at the moment. We are happy with what the club is doing now, we will see how the season goes.”
Everton’s Romelu Lukaku celebrates their third goal by Yannick Bolasie
Those comments appear to hint the forward is set for a long-term stay at Goodison Park but Koeman appears to have a less than optimistic outlook.
“The club is always trying to keep the best players, it’s difficult but Everton is trying to keep Rom in this football club. The final decision is always by the board about selling players,” he told his pre-match press conference.
Everton’s Romelu Lukaku with manager Ronald Koeman as he is substituted
The major plus for Everton is that there are few clubs who could afford to sign Lukaku at this moment in time.
This summer their asking price was £75 million, which only the top clubs could match.
If he enjoys another goal-laden campaign like he did last year, when he scored 25 in all competitions, that will only make the Blues once again demand a big fee for his services.
Everton’s Romelu Lukaku celebrates scoring their first goal with manager Ronald Koeman
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