MX23RW : Monday, November 25 02:09:04| >> :120:34763:34763:

Ronald Koeman: 'Romelu Lukaku is a big part of Everton's future'

Koeman: 'Lukaku big part of Everton future'
© SilverHub
Everton manager Ronald Koeman believes that Romelu Lukaku will play a "big part" in the club's future, but admits that a new deal would not rule out a summer 2017 exit.

Everton manager Ronald Koeman has said that Romelu Lukaku will play a "big part" in the club's future as he closes in on a new contract at Goodison Park.

Lukaku's agent Mino Raiola yesterday claimed that a deal was "99.9%" complete, with the Belgian set to become the highest-paid player in the club's history.

However, Raiola also refused to offer assurances over Lukaku's future beyond the end of the season, and Koeman acknowledged that a new deal would not rule out the possibility of the striker leaving next summer.

"I know they are in talks together about a new contract but if it is 90% or 99% I need to believe his agent. It is a big deal. The club need to keep their best players and do everything to keep them in the club because that is the future," he told reporters.

"Of course you don't know in football what can happen in one year but at least there is an understanding that the boy likes to stay and he is a big part of Everton's future.

"Even when they sign new contracts, they don't say they will stay until the end of the contract. It is football and business. But first of all I think if a new deal is done, that is good news."

Lukaku has scored nine goals in 16 Premier League appearances this season but has been unable to prevent a run of just two wins in 12 league games for the Toffees.

ID:287922: cacheID:287922:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2403:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Everton striker Romelu Lukaku celebrates after scoring the opening goal in his side's 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace at Goodison Park on September 30, 2016
Read Next:
Romelu Lukaku deal "99.9%" done
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool1210112481631
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
10Fulham125341717018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd124441313016
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Ipswich TownIpswich121651323-109
19Crystal Palace121561017-78
20Southampton121110924-154


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!