Season › 2013-14 › News Lukaku worth the investment for Martinez Lyndon Lloyd , 12 May, 0comments | Jump to most recent Manager would not be put off by £20m+ fee Roberto Martinez would not hesitate to splash out what would easily be Everton's record fee on Romelu Lukaku should the Belgian be available this summer for the £20m+ figure being bandied about by the media recently. The Spaniard believes Lukaku, who scored 16 times in all competitions for the Blues this season, represents an excellent investment given the fact that, at just 21, the striker still has much to learn before he reaches his full potential. A fee that large on one player would represent a sizable chunk of Everton's transfer budget this summer — although staggered payments would, obviously, make the move more manageable — but as Martinez told the Everton fan sites last week, the Chelsea man would be worth it. "I think Romelu would be a worthwhile investment for a number 9 of his age," he said. "He is strong with his back to goal and is tremendous in one-on-on situations. "He can finish with his right or left foot and he's only 20. He's played in different environments and he's already been through a big transfer fee." Lukaku has enjoyed a terrific season at Goodison since arriving on loan at the start of September and finished the campaign as the Blues' top scorer, despite missing a month with an ankle injury and being ineligible for both matches against his parent club. Even under normal circumstances, Everton would face challenges to sign him, not least because of any desire Chelsea may have to keep him but also because he has scored over 30 goals in two seasons in the Premier League before his 21st birthday today. Tottenham Hotspur have been linked with his signature in the English press and there is also said to be strong interest from Serie A and the Bundesliga. And the list of suitors will only grow if Lukaku enjoys a successful World Cup with dark horses Belgium, who have confirmed that he and Kevin Mirallas are in the squad for Brazil this summer. Indeed, should Lukaku take the tournament by storm, Everton could well be priced out of any ensuing bidding war and forced to look elsewhere for reinforcements. "We don't know if signing him is a possibility," Martinez concluded. "There are many factors at play." Irrespective of whether or not he does return, the manager has been highly satisfied with the way the player's loan spell has worked out for both parties. "In any loan deal you do, all you want is for it to be a real success," he said after the win at Hull on Sunday. "I'm really pleased to say now that Romelu Lukaku has been a real success. "I've seen him grow as a player, as a man and as a footballer and I think he has developed unique memories with Everton. I think you saw it today that the fans will always have great memories of Rom's footballing talent. "Chelsea will be delighted with the progress of the player and we have benefited from having a player like Rom." Lukaku and Mirallas named in Belgium squad Traoré in provisional Ivory Coast squad About these ads © ToffeeWeb