Everton manager casts eye to Spain for Lukaku replacements

Everton manager Ronald Koeman is keeping track of Real Sociedad forward Willian Jose and Villarreal frontman Cedric Bakambu as potential replacements for wantaway striker Romelu Lukaku, reports AS.

Lukaku has sensationally revealed his plans to leave Everton at the end of the season after making a u-turn on his future and turning down the club’s latest contract offer but the Toffees are still hopeful of convincing the Belgian to stay put.

However, Everton are understandably also keeping their options open and are making sure they have plans in place to respond in the transfer market quickly should they fail to keep hold of their star man.

Willian Jose is currently Real Sociedad’s top goalscorer in La Liga (9) and his goals have been crucial to their impressive campaign. Eusebio Sacristan’s side currently occupy the final Europa League spot in the league table and are level on points with Villarreal.

The Yellow Submarines are favourites to finish about their rivals but this hasn’t been down to Bakambu’s performances. The 25-year-old forward has struggled to nail down a regular spot in the team this season, having only made nine starts in the league thus far. He has managed to weigh in with four goals but is firmly behind Nicola Sansone in the pecking order up front.

For more stats on Cedric Bakambu, click here to visit his WhoScored player page