Ronald Koeman has sensationally admitted that Romelu Lukaku must leave Everton to fulfil his ambitions.
Lukaku, 23, joined Everton from Chelsea as their club transfer record signing £28m in 2014 and the powerful striker has been heavily linked with a high profile move away ever since.
The Belgium international was widely expected to leave this summer following Everton’s disastrous campaign last season but Koeman has surprisingly revealed Lukaku should look to leave if he wants to fulfil his potential.
“I gave him confidence and he has himself recognised that it was good for his development to play another year at Everton,” Koeman told Belgian newspaper HLN, via BT.
“There is a very good contact and appreciation between us. What after this season comes, no one knows. If Romelu was to play at Everton until the end of his career I know he has left something [behind]. His potential is greater and higher than Everton as a final destination.”
“Kluivert was also a striker who was quite young [when he was] in the picture and had a fantastic career. Eventually Kluivert played for Barcelona, which could happen with Lukaku.
“I think Lukaku is quite complete. He can hold a ball and be a target man and, because he is tall and physically strong, you can play directly with the long ball. Lukaku is potentially a great striker, one who is only 23 years old.”
Lukaku still has three years left to run on his current deal with Everton but now isn’t expected to see that out following Koeman’s comments, which would have put suitors on red alert.
In the last five Premier League campaigns only Sergio Aguero (87) has scored more goals than Lukaku (67).
For more stats on Romelu Lukaku, click here to visit his WhoScored player page
