Everton promised Lukaku could leave this summer, says agent

Romelu Lukaku was promised by Everton last summer that if certain clubs came in for his services this time around they would not stand in his way of leaving Goodison Park, claims the striker’s agent Mino Raiola.  

Chelsea were heavily linked with a move to re-sign Lukaku from Everton last summer but the Belgium international was convinced to stay at the club by new manager Ronald Koeman.

The Toffees were hopeful that Lukaku would sign a new contract and help fire the club into the top four but were left stunned in March when the 24-year-old announced that he wanted to leave this summer.

Lukaku still has two years to run on his existing deal but has no interest in renewing with Everton and now wants to play in the Champions League, with Chelsea and Manchester United reportedly the frontrunners for his signature.

While no clubs have made a formal approach for Lukaku, Raiola has revealed they came to a verbal agreement with Everton that would allow his client to leave if certain clubs came forward with the right offer.

“Lukaku had a promise that if certain clubs came this summer that he could leave this summer,” he told talkSPORT, via Sky Sports.

“We are not in concrete talks with anybody at this moment, but hearing the market I think some clubs will contact Everton.

“If the price is right for Everton and the project is right for Lukaku then I think he will want to make another step, but we are not there yet.”

Lukaku, into his third season as a permanent Everton player, enjoyed another sublime campaign for the club and would have finished as the top goalscorer (25 goals) in the Premier League had it not been for Harry Kane’s breathtaking finish (29 goals).

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