Moshiri downplays furore over Lukaku's contract

Tuesday, 14 March, 2017 400comments  |  Jump to most recent
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Farhad Moshiri has responded to reports that Romelu Lukaku does not intend to sign the new five-year contract he has been offered to stay at Goodison Park.

The news from Finch Farm this afternoon was that Romelu Lukaku has not agreed to the terms but talks are ongoing.

Lukaku appeared set to finally put pen to paper on club-record terms last week following comments by Mino Raiola and talkSPORT's Jim White but negotiations have not yet been concluded.

And while a disagreement over the value of a release clause in Romelu Lukaku's contract was said by the Echo to be the main impediment to a deal being struck with the striker's agent, it appeared as though the Belgian feels the time to move on will be this summer.

David Prentice reported that, according to his sources, Everton were asking that the trigger in the Belgian international's contract be set at £90m while Raiola prefers £60m to £70m, a figure that would make him affordable to more Champions League-level clubs.

Lukaku, who has made his desire to play in Europe's elite competition, hadn't been drawn on the status of his contract talks, except for what initially appeared to have been a light-hearted exchange with a Dutch journalist after Saturday's win over West Bromwich Albion.

Asked if he was in talks over a new deal and whether he would sign one, he smiled and said "no" and while it appeared as though he was joking, the latest from the Echo's chief Everton correspondent, Greg O'Keeffe, plus Paul Joyce of The Times and Dominic King of the Daily Mail is that he was being serious and informed club officials today that he won't sign the new contract.

Sky Sports' Vinny O'Connor, meanwhile, has said that it is information that talks are still very much on and that the contract offer remains on the table. Moshiri's comments, conveyed via Sky, suggest that Everton aren't phased by the situation:

It's not an issue. We have a strong relationship with the player and his agent. We are very happy with Romelu and want to reward him.

The club is committed to an improved contract. No one should worry — he is our player.

Lukaku, who is now the Blues' top scorer in the Premier League era, will have two years of his current contract remaining at the end of this season but does not now look likely to sign new terms worth a reported £140,000 a week.

 

Reader Comments (400)

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Brian Williams
1 Posted 14/03/2017 at 16:34:57
£60-70m is way too low if you compare his contribution to that of say Pogba. A top goal scorer is the most valuable asset a team can have and Lukaku is a top goal scorer!!
Oscar Huglin
2 Posted 14/03/2017 at 16:36:34
£80m and I'm happy.
Peter Morris
3 Posted 14/03/2017 at 16:40:04
If Carlton Pogba is worth £85m, Rom is worth at least that!
Paul Conway
4 Posted 14/03/2017 at 16:45:26
Only top teams have players with Lukaku's prowess... And we want to be a top team!

While we are at it, let's slap a stumbling block in Gueye's contract!!

Patrick Murphy
5 Posted 14/03/2017 at 16:48:24
Apparently Sky Sports are telling Evertonians not to fret about the delay, Rom fully intends to sign a contract. Well that's according to Joe Short in the Express.
Sam Hoare
6 Posted 14/03/2017 at 16:51:27
100 billion dollars!

In all seriousness with values ever going up and Rom headed for the golden boot I think anything less than £90m would be disadvantageous to us. If we were a more glamourous team then I think £100m would be the figure people would be talking about as they do with Harry Kane.

Paul Cullinane
7 Posted 14/03/2017 at 16:51:44
Split the difference at £75m. Then sign, or go.

Remember this, Mino Raiola, this club gave your client a proper job, not loans etc. We gave him the base he needed to develop. What we would appreciate from you is the respect that we deserve as a club.

I for one would want Rom to stay but, if the honour and thrill of pulling on the blue jersey isn't enough, then I would prefer him to go and not have this fine club made to look a club that panders to the agents.

Peter Laing
9 Posted 14/03/2017 at 17:12:30
Definitely gone in the summer, same situation as with Stones. Bank as much as we can get for him and move on. He's been pining for Chelsea since he left and has never really been part of Everton; he has used the Club as a stepping stone.
Ed Fitzgerald
10 Posted 14/03/2017 at 17:16:12
We need to play hard ball and set the fee at least £90 million.
Craig Fletcher
11 Posted 14/03/2017 at 17:21:43
In the space of a week I've now read three headline articles on ToffeeWeb about Lukaku either almost signing, or not signing a new contract.

I realise his obvious importance to the club, but Lyndon, until he either leaves or does put pen to paper to a new contract, should all this not be in the Rumour Mill section of the website?

Patrick Murphy
12 Posted 14/03/2017 at 17:22:19
At least we know where we are now and can plan accordingly. So much for the reassuring SSN report,.

Moshiri, will you please keep away from them as much as possible and use EvertonFC.com to relate your views to the supporters?

Patrick Murphy
13 Posted 14/03/2017 at 17:27:55
Craig (#11), Lukaku is Everton's main striker and love him or loathe him news surrounding our best goalscorer in the Premier League era deserves more than a small item hidden away in the rumours section.

Look at the fuss caused by Niasse, Deulofeu et al, who are mere bit-part players at the minute, although Niasse might have an opportunity to revive his Everton career, due to Rom's need to move on to bigger and better.

Jason Bowen
14 Posted 14/03/2017 at 17:30:02
I'm literally sick of him. Drop him immediately and let him rot on the bench.
John Pierce
15 Posted 14/03/2017 at 17:31:04
He's an idiot to himself. He wants to leave and do so at a price he thinks is reasonable because he knows the limit of his suitors and his own game.

Truly which Champions League regular would pay more than £60m for him? No one 'cos as been explored before the very top sides don't need or want him, too many holes in his game.

Clubs in Italy and Germany can't afford him.

Possible destination left are PSG, maybe Sevilla or Atletic?
I guess in the last 12-18 of his contract that price would roll down opening up more possibilities, Dortmund or Juve perhaps?

If we sold him to an English club that would be suicide. Cutting our own throats.

He better sign sharpish. 'Cos as 7th is all but achieved, Koeman could and should dump him on the sidelines. Not for being a big tit but it becomes a distraction for the team. The flack he'd get from the terraces would be easily whipped up.

We would have to learn to play without him so lets get use to it. Good topic for Evertonians to get mad about!

Karl Parsons
16 Posted 14/03/2017 at 17:31:40
The fucking emotional rollercoaster at Everton continues. This is messing with my head.
Darren Hind
17 Posted 14/03/2017 at 17:32:53
I hope we don't see a spate of "£100m, not a penny less" posts.

We have no say in what the final fee will be. As pointed out by Lyndon recently, the longer he is here without signing, the stronger his hand; a fact that won't be lost on would-be buyers. I can see him going for less than we got for Stones.

We've all seen players run down their contracts and go for a song. Timing is everything, If he is hell bent on going and won't sign, the quicker we can sell him, the better.

The guy would not be human if this didn't affect his form. Just hope he gets his next goal quickly so those who backed him to get 20 can get weighed in.

Craig Fletcher
18 Posted 14/03/2017 at 17:33:12
I agree on his importance, Patrick, and personally would love him to stay, but all the rumour-mongering has frankly left me feeling pretty ambivalent when the next one of these articles crop up.

All I'll say is that, if he doesn't sign a new contract over the next 3-4 months, we'll need to sell him this summer to maximise our return on investment. Can't have him run down the final two years of his contract.

Kristian Boyce
19 Posted 14/03/2017 at 17:34:39
There's the 0.000001% for ya!
John Pierce
20 Posted 14/03/2017 at 17:35:43
What odds on Rom coming back less than 18 months after flopping at his new beau?

Brent Stephens
21 Posted 14/03/2017 at 17:36:49
"...has never really been part of Everton and has used the Club as a stepping stone".

And we've used him as a stepping stone. And we're not really "a part of" Lukaku; just read TW; "sell him for x if we get an offer"; and Everton will sell him if the offer is good enough; if it's not, we won't.

Phil Bellis
22 Posted 14/03/2017 at 17:37:19
So his not signing a new contract means we HAVE to sell him this Summer? Simple as that? Cue cliches...

Will Mabon
23 Posted 14/03/2017 at 17:38:21
Quelle surprise.

One day, an extremely wealthy owner who can carry the loss of a potential few tens of millions, will hold a world class player to midnight on the last day of his contract.

Rob Halligan
25 Posted 14/03/2017 at 17:41:03
Great time to announce this, just before the derby match. Yet more ridicule coming our way from those red bastards.
Patrick Murphy
26 Posted 14/03/2017 at 17:41:32
Jamie Carragher on his twitter account - I knew putting the Everton training kit on & going to the training ground to have a word with him would be worth it!

I realise that Jamie is only having a laugh but I sometimes wonder just how much truth there is with former reds scattered about the place and with access to all areas? They call us bitter but by god they don't like us having something they are short of and I wouldn't put it past any of them...

John Crook
27 Posted 14/03/2017 at 17:41:39
For a minute, I thought one or two of us were surprised! We all know he would have gone in the summer but for the fact he had a crap Euro. Let's thank him, get as much money as possible and let Walsh and Co earn their coin. Simple!
Will Mabon
28 Posted 14/03/2017 at 17:42:47
Brent, how have we used him as a stepping stone?

We've properly employed him as a player in accordance with an agreed contract. His opportunity for playing time and improvement at Everton is precisely what's brought us to this today. We owe him nothing.

I don't remember him mentioning the Champion's League when he was at West Brom.

Darren Hind
29 Posted 14/03/2017 at 17:43:24
John,

That's another debate, but very interesting. We do have to start to get used to life without him.

The percentage football we are playing... without Lukaku?

Wholesale changes ahead!

Karl Jones
30 Posted 14/03/2017 at 17:46:49
Hope he's dropped from the squad on Saturday and Calvert-Lewin plays. We've got to look to the future now.
Rob Halligan
31 Posted 14/03/2017 at 17:47:51
Just thinking that, Karl. Question is, will he play another game for us this season?
Ian Riley
32 Posted 14/03/2017 at 17:48:22
Why did the club make it public anyway? Still, no need to worry – we have a billionaire in charge. Give us what we want or clear off.

What's the worst if we sell him in the summer? The manager gets £100 million to spend on players. Actually his attitude could be a bad influence on the squad. We are trying to build something here. Move him on!

Anyone think this may have been a plan by the agent and player to drum more interest in the summer? Don't worry, Mr Lukaku. If we don't get what we want your going nowhere and the agent knows!

Peter Cummings
33 Posted 14/03/2017 at 17:49:24
Get rid of him asap if this is the case, we all know that loyalty is now a 4-letter word and there's no such thing as a 'binding' contract any more. His erratic form won't guarantee him Euro success with any of the so called elite clubs who certainly won't put up with his regular AWOL sessions in games, as Everton has over his Goodison tenure.

No doubt, unless his attitude changes, he will continue to be a spoiled brat ala Sterling, who, at least, has the ability to make Lukaku an also-ran in terms of skill and ability to make it big in todays world of cut throat football.

Bob Skelton
34 Posted 14/03/2017 at 17:50:37
Time to move on with him now. He has always held this over our heads. Cash in and say goodbye to him. We'll miss his goals though. Wonder how Goodison will react to him .
Paul Birmingham
35 Posted 14/03/2017 at 17:51:13
Does any one believe these rumours of which no one really knows what's fact, fiction and bull?

A life time of major dissappointments, on the pitch and off on the club side, and a few golden years, this is the lot of an Evertonian..

Fate or no fate, no player is bigger than the club, and who reads or trusts what the Echo Rag (RS Rag) Paul Joyce RS, and who ever on Sky Sports writes, says about our club, unless it comes from the club?

Let's focus on Saturday and see what happens to Lukaku, at the end of the season, as he's under contract. Koeman and Moshiri, should know how to manage this one out effectively. Let's see what happens. We need to have faith in Farhad Moshiri and Ronald Koeman, and focus on finishing as high as possible in the Premier League.

Liam Reilly
36 Posted 14/03/2017 at 17:51:42
It's no surprise, he wants to play Champions League, not the Europa League in July. Realistically Everton are 2-3 years and a 'Docks' Ground Move from convincing players like him to stay.

He's good enough and he will have suitors, just like Ronaldo, Suarez, Bale etc before him.

That's modern football; doesn't matter if players are idolised at clubs, they have no affinity to them and will move on.

That's football.

Patrick Murphy
37 Posted 14/03/2017 at 17:58:49
Goodison will be very unwelcoming to him on Saturday, if it proves to be true that he doesn't want to stay at Everton past the end of this season, but as somebody mentioned earlier, why go public now?

Has Bill mis-read the runes yet again? The point that Rob @31 is a good one, why do Everton always seem to feed the RS just prior to a derby game? They've come out in force on twitter with their NEverton stuff.

According to the Mai,l Romelu said he wouldn't sign a new contract, following today's training session at Finch Farm, who put it into the public domain?

If it turns out to be one of Bill's master plans to sell Romelu and bring in Rooney, I'll be shoving my ST up the man's backside. I honestly thought we had moved on from all of these type of shenanigans at Goodison but now it seems we are doing it on a grander scale.

Where's the stadium announcement, Bill?

Rob Dolby
38 Posted 14/03/2017 at 17:58:49
My money is on a Man Utd swap plus cash for Rooney in the summer.

How much is he worth in the current climate? £50m? Whatever it is, we need him sold in the summer otherwise his value is only going one way.

At least he has given us 2 years notice. In the current environment, he has handled himself comparatively well.


Denis Richardson
39 Posted 14/03/2017 at 17:59:27
I know football has gone bonkers but £90M? I can see a Chinese side paying that but not any of the European sides, at least not until he's done it at Champions League level as well.

Understand people saying £60-70M is low but realistically we're not in the driving seat here. He has two years left and his value will drop like a stone if he stays next season without a new contract. If we don't budge down from £90M he'll be gone for around £60M this summer or much less next summer.

Undecided myself but cannot see them signing a £90M release clause. Only hope would be the Chinese paying silly money for costa and then Chelsea giving us that silly money for Lukaku (although I think costa is a better all-round player).

Peter Laing
40 Posted 14/03/2017 at 18:01:08
Brent, Lukaku has a contract offer on the table which is northwards of £100k per week. At 23, he has the ability and potential to fire us to the next level, buy into the Moshiri project and help to make Everton great again.

But yes, he has used us a stepping stone; he wants Champions League football now and cares little about Everton. Move him on and get the best deal possible.

James Hughes
41 Posted 14/03/2017 at 18:03:04
He wants to win medals and you can't argue with that; we all want to see that. The timing of this is more than a bit surprising with the home straight in sight.

Worrying if true. We need him scoring goals, not on the bench.

Tony Twist
42 Posted 14/03/2017 at 18:03:23
Plain and simple, some things have changed at Everton but one thing that hasn't is forward thinking. We have been crying out for quality competition up front and this is the result of failing to achieve this.

If we got, for example, Gabbiadini then Lukaku wouldn't be in as strong a position as he is. I think he will sign and a compromise can be agreed when no one is willing to meet our valuation of the player.

Kevin Rowlands
43 Posted 14/03/2017 at 18:03:33
At this point, surely even his most ardent fans have to feel fed up with this shit coming up every few months. He thinks he's too good for us and maybe he is; cash in and move on.

Of course we'll miss his goals but we're going to have to deal with that sooner or later. Much more important to get Barkley signed up imho.

Lennart Hylën
44 Posted 14/03/2017 at 18:05:51
He has never been an Evertonian. Lukaku only plays for Romelu. Sell him for as much as possible this summer and invest that in two new strikers.

It's never good when a team is as dependent on one player as Everton is today. Play him in every game there is left and hopefully he will be the leagues top scorer. That will increase the price tag.

No player is bigger than our team.

Kristian Boyce
45 Posted 14/03/2017 at 18:06:49
The cynic in me thinks he'll sign a new contract by the weekend for around £200k. It's games by his agent to get him a better deal as no club will want to pay what we want for him, as he still has a number of faults despite being a top goalscorer.
Si Cooper
46 Posted 14/03/2017 at 18:08:51
Some strange comments on here, undoubtedly fuelled by emotion more than logic.

How can he be an idiot if he understands that there is limit on what other clubs will pay for him and doesn't want a contract that will prevent him moving on at any time?

Why drop him unless he starts to under-perform? If he wants a move then he needs to put himself in the 'shop window'. Wouldn't it soften the blow if he was able to get us into the top six this season?

He's got 2 years left at the end of the season so we can hold out for a good price for him.

If he's not irreplaceable then we shouldn't be expecting to get enough for him to buy an absolute megastar, but even on a bad day we should get enough for him to get a competent replacement and perhaps an up and coming who's a bit of a gamble. We're going to have to rely on getting the maximum from improving what we can easily afford for quite a while yet.

Rob Halligan
47 Posted 14/03/2017 at 18:09:30
All he had to do was sign the new contract, get an extra £50k or £60k per week, or whatever it is, for three months, then bugger off in the summer.

The only stumbling block with that though, is the release clause.

Chris Leyland
48 Posted 14/03/2017 at 18:10:44
His agent has done Everton up good style here. Get the media to put it about that he is 99.9% certain to sign in an attempt to get Chelsea, Man Utd or PSG (delete as appropriate) to commit to signing him in the summer for less than they would have to pay if he signs the new deal.

I'd drop him for Saturday too and play Calvert-Lewin as I'm not interested in watching players who aren't interested in playing for us.

Ian McDowell
49 Posted 14/03/2017 at 18:11:03
Where has this story came from? I can't understand why it would be put out there at this stage of the season.
Gavin Johnson
50 Posted 14/03/2017 at 18:15:15
Is anyone really that arsed?

Signing a new deal doesn't amount too much these days, barring the release clause we can add. Sell him in the summer and, if Chelsea want him, demand £70m and Tammy Abraham. Abraham is beast of a striker and has already scored 18 goals in the Championship. He's only 19 and could be a like-for-like replacement in a couple of seasons.

Bring in Dembele for an immediate replacement. We'll undoubtedly have Rooney too. I'm really not arsed if Rom goes as long as we get a decent fee. He's always treated Everton like a stepping stone.

Chris Leyland
51 Posted 14/03/2017 at 18:15:58
It won't soften the blow if he gets us into the top 6 for me. 5th, 6th and 7th will get you into the Europa unless Leicester win the Champion's League, in which case 7th will miss out. So, unless his goals could fire is into the top 4 by some miracle, I for one wouldn't want him anywhere near the first team squad any more if he wants to leave.
Kenny Smith
52 Posted 14/03/2017 at 18:17:31
Is anyone really surprised? He has ambitions which we all have. He can sign for a Champions League club in the summer and play in that tournament immediately. We will have to wait for undoubtably several seasons and hope the club can break into that top 4 despite our financial situation.

He's been fantastic since he came in on loan, when we were used as a stepping stone. Nothing's changed and really he's made that clear throughout his tenure with us. The boy's ambitious and you can knock that but I'm sure a lot of TWers will.
Joe O'Brien
53 Posted 14/03/2017 at 18:18:51
Looks like he was going to be gone in the summer whether he signed or not. Sign it and he'd be gone for that £70m clause they wanted, not sign and go to the highest bidder.

The latter is the best for us, save the extra money in his wages from now till the summer and get a higher fee when he moves on to Chelsea or PSG I'd imagine.

Looks like we've got European football so I'd give Calvert-Lewin and Lookman some good game time. It's time to move on.

Colin Glassar
54 Posted 14/03/2017 at 18:19:20
I've supported this lad through thick and thin ever since he joined us on loan but even now I've become sick and tired of all this bullshit.

Like John P (#20), I can see him returning in a year or two after not cutting the mustard in Germany or Spain (we shouldn't sell him to an English club). He's a great player, imo, but there are other great talents out there e.g. Williams, Lacazette even Batsuyahi who's been frozen out at Chelsea.

I can actually see Rooney coming in to help the development of Calvert-Lewin who seems to be highly rated by Ronald and his team.

I'd be gutted to see Rom leave but it won't be the end of the world (as long as he moves abroad) as we can replace him with like-for-like talent. He's becoming a distraction so we need to move on.

Steve Woods
55 Posted 14/03/2017 at 18:21:00
Are Kenwright and Elstone still dealing with player contract matters?...
Mike Rees
56 Posted 14/03/2017 at 18:23:10
Disappointing if true; but no great surprise considering the continuing prevarication on his and his agent's part!

Everton's job is to demand the best price for a proven Premier League scorer and for Walsh and Koeman to get heads together and sign appropriate suitable replacement(s) before Lukaku goes back to his beloved Chelsea or wherever...

In other words if/when he goes he does so on Everton's terms and theirs alone! No player, however big he thinks his reputation is, is bigger than the club.

In fairness, Lukaku has done very well for us; but how much of that is also down to the support and 1:1 coaching etc he has had at the club?

He is a big fish in a small pond at Everton relatively speaking. Be interesting how his game develops as a small fish in a bigger pond if he gets his dream Champions' League move. He might not be quite as good as he thinks he is?

Trevor Peers
57 Posted 14/03/2017 at 18:23:47
I doubt very much if Lukaku will be dropped, after all there's no certainty the manager will be here next season either.

Koeman has a lot of admiration for him and would never drop the lad. It seems supporting Everton means getting screwed every season, one way or another.

Robert Leigh
58 Posted 14/03/2017 at 18:24:51
He will leave at some point...

I still say we should go for Sturridge and Batsuyayi. They would cost less than half of Rom's fee.

Who does everyone think is the future centre-forward for Everton: Dominic Calvert-Lewin or Ademola Lookman? I thought it was odd DCL came on on Saturday rather than Lookman; IMO, Lookman has shown more than DCL...

Jon Cox
59 Posted 14/03/2017 at 18:25:39
I'm sure he'll do very well in his new "Sky" Champions League team

Until it actually comes to him being able to control a football and not give up possession just outside the opposition's penalty area.

Anyway it's about time our other players started to learn how to score goals.

One last thing: drop him for the Hull game and tell the media to go fuck themselves.

Kunal Desai
60 Posted 14/03/2017 at 18:30:20
I don't know why the club is trying to get him to sign a contract now when there are 10 games left to focus on. It is just pure stupidity by the club to deflect what really is important and finish the season strongly.

Contract talks should have waited until the end of the season and if he isn't to sign then so be it. Everton is bigger than any other player, we have seen it in the past.

We need to get a couple of strikers in the summer along with some creativity and we'll be fine. As long as Koeman is here, I'm pretty confident we'll do well under his management.

Jim Burns
61 Posted 14/03/2017 at 18:32:10
If, as its reported, he wanted a lower release clause trigger value at £60/70 mill, then clearly it was his intention to be on his way anyway in the Summer – on the basis he expected Chelsea or some other Champions League club to have triggered his release at that price.

The reality is he never really intended to stay anyway – why are we surprised?

Fuck him and move on.

Gavin Johnson
62 Posted 14/03/2017 at 18:34:32
Colin, I know you're also a fan of Dembele from his time at Fulham. I think he could be a like-for-like replacement and is worth spending £30m on.

We should also have Rooney and Calvert-Lewin, and still make a profit. I've always supported Lukaku but I don't think we'll miss him as much as we think. As you say, he might not cut the mustard at a top Champions League club because he'll be dropped if he goes into one of his lulls in form.

Howard Kendall sold Lineker because he felts he was taking goals away from a team that had been scoring from other positions. He was sold, the following season we won the league after winning nowt with Lineker.

I'm not saying we 'll do much better next season with other strikers but our tactics won't be dependent on one player. This is another reason why I don't think Rom will hit the same heights at one of the clubs he desires to join. He won't be pandered to like he has been at Goodison.

Joe O'Brien
63 Posted 14/03/2017 at 18:34:39
Could people stop mentioning Sturridge as any type of replacement, please.
Peter Morris
64 Posted 14/03/2017 at 18:35:49
If Lukaku is set on leaving, then it's game over, so the club must plan to incur as little damage and humiliation as possible, and sell him in the summer.

In my opinion, who we sell him to is more important than what we get, particularly as our financial position is no longer parlous. With that in mind, we must not, under any circumstances, allow him to go to Man Utd or Chelsea, or Man City. Mourinho will no doubt want to get one over on Chelsea, and they, on the other hand, still regard the player as theirs anyway.

I somehow don't think Guardiola fancies the Lukaku type, but I could be wrong. With their money, they could bid for him just to keep him out of the clutches of the other two.

Sell the mercenary to some Chinese outfit, anywhere but the Premier League – we can take a 'loss' on matter of principle. We could let him go to Germany or Italy for less than we would get here, but with a sell-on clause if his next club sells him back to a Premier League club.

If we take Man United's 'tourist' dollar, we will not have moved on since we lost Rooney to those twats. All that will have changed is the figures.

Thomas Surgenor
65 Posted 14/03/2017 at 18:35:50
For what it's worth, I think he will stay.

He would be a huge loss for us. He has improved an awful lot this season.

However, I just can't see which big team he would go to if he wants to be playing all the time? Unless of course Benzema's days are truely numbered or Man Utd are interested?

Barry Williams
66 Posted 14/03/2017 at 18:35:56
A couple of things.

1. I am surprised anyone really believed what was coming out of the agent's mouth.

2. I am surprised anyone is surprised!

Whilst talking about surprises, I am surprised he has actually stayed with us for this long. I know there are a couple of reasons for this!

Who knows what developments will be made between now and the end of the season? If no developments are made on the contract, well we have a top striker that we will get a good price for at a healthy profit after 4 years of decent service.

As said, who knows what will happen, we still have quite a while before the contract ends and value drops!

If the media is right about it being about the buyout clause (that is a big if too), then surely this is an area that can be negotiated and compromised if it is the only sticking point; again, none of us really know!

Barkley is all the more urgent, in my opinion.

Ciarán McGlone
67 Posted 14/03/2017 at 18:37:28
He's too good for Everton.. He's simply listening to what Koeman told him.

What a club!

Eddie Dunn
68 Posted 14/03/2017 at 18:37:30
Lots of emotions ruling the thread. Take a deep breath, people. Rom can go in the summer, and if we get upwards of £60million, then we can move on.

I am sick of the same old subject rearing it's ugly head. It's all about his ambition. if he doesn't think we are moving quickly enough in the right direction, then he has to make his decision for his own needs.

I hope he gets the golden boot, and if he wants out, then we sell him for a decent fee. No point getting all indignant about it. We were quite happy to offload our lesser lights to Sunderland, and happy to pick off the likes of Gana from poor Villa.

Take it on the chin, and buy a new messiah.

John Steadman
69 Posted 14/03/2017 at 18:38:11
Drop him now! He wants away, get someone in who plays for the full 90 minutes, not just when he is arsed.

His goals can be replaced by getting more goals from players around the team and a half decent center-forward. No control, very rarely beats a keeper when one on one, rarely wins a ball in the air, sulks when he doesn't get the ball.

Who came in for him when he was at Chelsea? By the looks of it – only us!

David Barks
70 Posted 14/03/2017 at 18:40:12
Wow... so many completely idiotic posts, hilarious.
Col Walker
71 Posted 14/03/2017 at 18:40:16
i get the comparisons to the Pogba fee but (a) that fee is now known to be utterly ridiculous and (b) I think we all know Rom is not that good ironically! If he was that good why wasnt he snapped up last summer?!

And why do we all moan about his Bambi touches and laziness?! Other teams see it too. Clearly he can finish though which is why were having this issue!!

My point is I actually can see why his agent wont sign a £90m release clause, he'd be potentially unbuyable and may never get his CHampions League dream. Everton need to be realistic. £65m release, sign the boy up and get as many games out of him as possible.

He's going to leave its only a matter of time. I would even offer him big bonus payments if he stays another full season, just get the maximum amount of goals from him before he leaves. It wasn't his fault that he wasted 2 seasons under that phoney Martinez, nor that he doesn't exactly get great service and gets a dozen chances every week.

Brian Williams
72 Posted 14/03/2017 at 18:40:34
Sturridge? Ffs – talk about playing into the Kopites' hands... worst attitiude of any major player... and a sicknote to boot.
Gary Willock
73 Posted 14/03/2017 at 18:40:50
If it's true, we need the club to come out and be honest. I'm guessing Man Utd are thinking of a bid and his mate Pogba has let him and Rinola know about it.

If it is true, drop him immediately and give the two young lads ago. His head went last year, so we can just come out and say 'heads not right'. Leave him in the reserves until we get the money that is fair and right. So what if it takes a year or more – we have the contract.

Stan Schofield
74 Posted 14/03/2017 at 18:41:09
Well, we've heard different stories from the media recently about him. So, which one is true, if any?

The media have a habit of making any old shit up, and specialise in Chinese whispers. So it's possible your heads are being messed about by the media.

But that possibility seems to be ignored, a conclusion jumped to that the media reports are accurate (which one, though?), and some responses that Lukaku is a gobshite. Maybe it's just the media who are gobshites?

Dave Lynch
75 Posted 14/03/2017 at 18:41:25
Players come and players go.

As long as he gives 100% till the end of the season, then good luck to him.

Like everyone on here, I was born and will die a blue but big money is big money and a footballer's career is short enough.

As long as he doesn't sign for the Devils spawn, I couldn't care less where he goes.

Dave Ganley
76 Posted 14/03/2017 at 18:42:33
Guess he has had the nod off a Champions League team for the summer. Fair enough I suppose. As I've pointed out on another thread, it's not the end of the world.

As much as I'd like him to stay, him leaving will mean the team will start to spread the load of goals around the team. We are very reliant on his goals as everything goes through him, so it's natural he will get all the goals.

Same thing when Lineker left and we didn't do too badly without him. Also the same when Rooney left, we became more of a team.

All it will do is alter how we play. Great and good players have left Everton before and we somehow manage to survive.

Thanks for the effort Rom, we shall get by without you.

Ian Riley
77 Posted 14/03/2017 at 18:45:16
Higuain went to Juventus at the age of 27 for £76 million. Lukaku is 23 years old, £80 million is the least we could ask for.

Giving lukaku £200k a week could be a disaster financially on securing other players long term. Don't really understand when last week it was a 99.9999% done deal. Anyone think he really was going to sign a contract with all the Champions League talk last season?

Chris Leyland
78 Posted 14/03/2017 at 18:48:09
Meanwhile, over on the official EFC website, they are still giving us all the chance to order the Lukaku 'record breaker' tee-shirts for £18. I'm defo getting one of them.
Patrick Murphy
79 Posted 14/03/2017 at 18:48:24
Stan, the trouble is the media no longer do fact-checking as part of their journalistic duties, they run with whichever story happens to be doing the rounds.

The truth of the matter is that there are no direct quotes from any sources in any of the reports spinning around the news rooms and therefore nobody apart from Rom, his agent, Everton FC and perhaps a club who is interested in Rom has a clue.

The latest "Rom won't sign' does seem to have legs but we don't know who leaked it and for what reasons. Only time will tell as is usual. I'm more interested to see if Everton FC are going to have a new ground lined up in the very near future, that will shape the club's destiny for far longer than any individual player – no matter how good they are.

Raymond Fox
80 Posted 14/03/2017 at 18:50:06
Darren (#17), sums up the situation.

Players hold the aces now; we should look to sell him asap. to the highest bidder. Because he can walk away for a big zero in two years time!

Rob Halligan
81 Posted 14/03/2017 at 18:50:07
Man Utd will be going all out to try and win the Europa League and qualify for next seasons Champions League now, to try and entice him in the summer, because they won't finish in the top four.

If he's going, don't let it be to the Mancs.

Brent Stephens
82 Posted 14/03/2017 at 18:50:38
"Leave him in reserves until we get the money that is fair and right. So what if it takes a year or more, we have the contract."

Who scores our goals in the meantime?

Winston Williamson
83 Posted 14/03/2017 at 18:50:46
I guess this is the reason why some Evertonians cannot completely warm to Lukaku. His words and actions indicate he believes he is bigger and more important than the club/team.

Constant waffling season after season about his ambitions. Not the team's ambitions.

Would it have hurt to tell the club that a decision will be made at the end of the season? Nah, lets cause maximum stir by telling the club in the last straight of the season, just before the Derby!

I'm tired of the Lukaku show. Great goal scorer and obviously a player we need to keep – but without the bullshit that goes with it!

Laura Round
84 Posted 14/03/2017 at 18:52:26
Dave (#76),

Agreed. We have goals in the team. He's a striker so I understand his selfish play sometimes but I think he intimidates some others who might otherwise have a go.

Steve Durham
85 Posted 14/03/2017 at 18:53:12
We've lost better players than this lumbering chod in the past and managed. Use the money, Rooney plus a big-name replacement and Rom can kindly take his annual "will he / won't he" circus and fuck off!
Anthony Hughes
86 Posted 14/03/2017 at 18:53:35
Agree Brent, we're not exactly packed with goalscoring creative midfielders.
Oscar Huglin
87 Posted 14/03/2017 at 18:53:53
No worries, blues. His departure will coincide perfectly with Niasse's return to the club.

Like a new signing.

Phillip Warrington
88 Posted 14/03/2017 at 18:54:45
Sell him for as much as we can get and also play him in the Under-23s for the rest of the year, he has never really been loyal to the shirt.

Yes he has scored a lot of goals but has missed just as many, he forgets he wants to play in the elite leagues but has been the one of the players when Everton have really needed him to perform in the big games has gone missing.

At Everton he is the only target we have; the one thing Everton do is provide their center forwards with a lot of opportunity's and always have throughout the history of the club. I'm shore that any decent centre-forward will score the same amount of goals.

Everton have made him the player he has become but he shows us no respect. He will make it hard to sign quality players when one of your best players basically comes out and says he has no faith in Everton becoming a big club. Look what happened when he was at a so-called big club he struggled to make the bench.

John Keating
89 Posted 14/03/2017 at 18:56:57
Thank you. Goodbye.... Next please.
Henrik Lyngsie
90 Posted 14/03/2017 at 18:57:52
Why would Lukaku accept a buy-out clause of £90 million? That's on par with the world record, while salary offered apparently is £140k or week, which is less than half of some players in both Manchester clubs. Off course he will not accept that.

He wants Champions League football. He might have one or two years patience with Everton. But he needs a way out and a release clause of £90 million could be tricky for him.

I can't see him be good enough for Real, Barca or Bayern. He does not fit the style of City, Arsenal, Liverpool or Spurs (and Liverpool and Spurs can't afford him anyway) (and for 200 other reasons Liverpool is not an option).

That leaves 3 clubs who are big enough and who can afford him. United, Chelsea and PSG. But I don't think he wants to go to France. He is more ambitious than the French league.

Very much will depend on Costa and Zlatan. If they stay, there is no buyer for Lukaku this summer. I am confident this is all part of negotiations and he will extend the contract with a release clause on max £75 million.

Robert Leigh
91 Posted 14/03/2017 at 18:59:06
Sturridge is one of the best finishers in the Premier League; I don't know why there is no appetite for him (Joe #63 & Brian #72).

He would be circa £25mil, a great stopgap and would be better than Rooney goals-per-game ratio-wise.

Don't get me wrong, I would love Lookman or Calvert-Lewin to step up, but to lean on them for 20+ goals a season? No way.

Sturridge is good value and will get goals, who cares if he played for Them? He is proven.

What's more, he'll come in and do a decent 18 months or 2 years then go, by which time our young ones will be ready.

Phil Bellis
92 Posted 14/03/2017 at 18:59:36
David... (#70),

What's your take on this pantomime? (Quick, before Eugene clocks on!)

Steven Sturm
93 Posted 14/03/2017 at 18:59:47
Oscar has it right. Just pull Niasse back into the team. He scored twice as many as Lukaku last weekend.
Tony Marsh
94 Posted 14/03/2017 at 19:01:29
Last summer, Joe Anderson was telling all who would listen that Everton would be in a new stadium in three years from now. Well that time scale has well and truely lapsed and it's all gone very quiet were ground building is concerned.

Last month, Lukaku's agent said Romelu would re-sign for us within in days and what do you know we get shafted again.Will this shit ever change? Isn't anyone else sick to death of this comical fiasco called EFC?

If Moshiri offered Lukaku big boy's money, ie £200k a week, I am sure he would stay another season see if we make the Champions League. We are a big club now aren't we? Well, aren't we?

Kieran Kinsella
95 Posted 14/03/2017 at 19:03:03
Raola wanted a deal so he'd get a nice cash bonus then try and hawk him anyway for a higher fee so he'd get another nice cash bonus. If Rom is set on leaving, at least we save some cash on wages and agent bonuses in the interim.
Jim Burns
96 Posted 14/03/2017 at 19:05:26
I'm not sure what's pissing me off more – the Lukaku circus or Blues suggesting Sturridge is an option for us. In the same week we paid tribute to a truly great striker – do me a favour.

To associate a gobshite like Sturridge with our great club borders on insane – stop it.

Brent Stephens
97 Posted 14/03/2017 at 19:06:46
Will (#28), my point is simply that football is a career for players and a business for clubs. They both enter a contract. When one side no longer finds the other side attractive, the former will start to move things on.

So Everton no longer had a need or use for Oviedo and decided to move things on for their own benefit. Players know that is the reality, so I'm not surprised when they look to move things on for their own benefit. It cuts both ways.

Kieran Kinsella
98 Posted 14/03/2017 at 19:07:08
This is what happens when it's all talk and no action.

New stadium? No news on that.

Sissoko? Oh, we don't want to upset James McCarthy.

Big signings? Oh well, FFP means we can't spend big... so it's just the Stones money after all.

Stan Schofield
99 Posted 14/03/2017 at 19:08:02
Patrick@79: Not sure what you mean by the report has legs. There's either direct evidence or there isn't, and it appears there isn't. Problem is, many folks jump into knee-jerk reactions as soon as they hear a media report, regardless of the existence of reliable evidence.

It's no skin off my nose that folks jump to conclusions, but it does seem nonesensical to see the usual immediate 'Lukaku is a gobshite' type comments. You wouldn't believe that (a) the media is regularly unreliable, and (b) Lukaku is regularly a top scorer for us.

Damian Wilde
100 Posted 14/03/2017 at 19:10:24
It wouldn't surprise me if this is a game to get the release clause liwered. If it is, sell him as if the release clause is his main priority, he clearly wants to leave anyway. If he does, mininimum of £80 million, if not a lot more.

I'm wondering if he'll get booed on Saturday, as we don't kniw for definite, best hold that off for now.

He has his critics, me included, but he is a tremendous player. We saw on Saturday that he can score and make goals. We will be significantly poorer without him.

That next step looks shaky now...

Steve Hogan
101 Posted 14/03/2017 at 19:11:33
Jesus, I can't believe the mass hysteria on here at times. Lukaku has stated many times he wants to play Champions League football, we can't offer it to him for at the best (and optimistic) guess, two to three years.

If Suarez can leave the RS, Bale can leave Spurs, Ronaldo dumps Man Utd, then Lukaku can certainly move from Everton.

Four years at Everton is probably about right for one of Europe's top talents. Nobody has used anybody as a 'stepping stone', that's football I'm afraid in the 21st century.

I don't even think it's about money with the player, he wants to play for one of Europe's top clubs, and we simply don't fall into that category ,yet.

Moshiri's revolution (or evolution) has come too late for Rom, and Everton. Pity though, as he simply is a goal scoring machine.

All this nonsense about 'let him rot in the the reserves immediately', play Calvert-Lewin (yeah, with all his big game experience). Are we that thick skinned to castigate probably our best player with 10 games to go, because he wants pastures new?

People need to get a grip of themselves. We are on an upwards trend, on and off the field under Moshiri, this is just a blip along the way.

Rob Halligan
102 Posted 14/03/2017 at 19:12:21
Nothing at all on the official website. Until it's announced on there, I flatly refuse to believe it!!!
Phil Bellis
103 Posted 14/03/2017 at 19:13:00
dup
Alan McGuffog
104 Posted 14/03/2017 at 19:13:14
Very foolish young man. In a year or two he will be looking on with envy as his old mates run out in front of 25,000 in Gillmoss. Plonker.
David Pearl
105 Posted 14/03/2017 at 19:13:45
Sturidge scores goals when he doesn't roam too deep. But then again he is never fit so is a no-go, regardless of him being a gobshite.

Lukaku is getting better all the time but, without reinforcing the team with the quality we need, I don't blame him wanting to go. If he stays one more year, there's still no guarantee we will finish above 7th next season either...

Dermot Byrne
106 Posted 14/03/2017 at 19:14:04
He has been good for us but I do not think he is the best we can get. He will have such fun v Hull. Still, at least a huge club can enjoy his ball control now in big games.

Watch...We will get even better and he is a Martinez man anyway.

I believe none of that but fucking narked by the game these days... unless we can do the same to others of course. Then it is all fair.

Patrick Murphy
107 Posted 14/03/2017 at 19:16:07
Stan (#99) It has legs in the sense that it is highly unusual for the Echo – yeah I know it has similar flaws to the rest – to splash a story without some tacit agreement that there is some truth in the Rom refuses to sign contract story.

Perhaps their source has asked to be kept out of it, or perhaps Everton FC itself have used it to move things along. I don't know any more than you do, but the whole truth and nothing but the truth even in a court of law is not easily attained and highly unlikely when there are millions of pounds at stake.

The reactions of people to actual or fake stories doesn't really bother me, as everybody is entitled to react in any way they like.

Brian Harrison
108 Posted 14/03/2017 at 19:17:43
I am sure that, if there was no truth in this rumour, then Moshiri would have been on to his mate Jim White at SSN.

Look, it comes as no surprise he has talked of nothing else since he joined about wanting to play for a Champions league team. He probably thinks he is having his best goal scoring form in the Premier League so make the most of it.

Yes he will be missed but we have sold far better players than Lukaku and no doubt will do so again its football. The giants pick the gems from the rest, exactly like we did in the 60s with John Moores money. Until we have a side capable of getting into a regular Champions League place, this will continue.

Andrew Wayne
109 Posted 14/03/2017 at 19:17:49
We shouldn't be surprised given his repeated statements about Champions League, usually on international duty. A new contract was only ever going to be about increasing our leverage on the selling price irrespective of a release clause.

They should start a marketing campaign now to move him on at the end of the season for the best price and get looking for a replacement (or two) if the price is right. I am not going to have a pop given the amount of goals he has brought to the team. Good luck to him but he isn't Everton at the end of the day.

And a big No to Sturridge – firstly, he is the proverbial sick-note; and secondly, no Everton player should ever be doing that half-witted celebration.

Dan Davies
110 Posted 14/03/2017 at 19:19:13
Would anybody take £50 million plus Martial?
Jim Burns
111 Posted 14/03/2017 at 19:20:47
Steve – I agree by and large. I've always assumed he would go at some point. Mass hysteria? No – genuine emotion and disappointment from the ever-faithful – and understandable surely?

Go easy on us.Last time I looked, football was an emotional game.

I agree we are on an upward trend – and nobody said there wouldn't be any rocks on the slopes.


Terry Downes
112 Posted 14/03/2017 at 19:21:59
Sell him to Chelsea, but include Batshuayi in any deal!
Gary Willock
113 Posted 14/03/2017 at 19:23:03
Brent @82 – I thought I mentioned giving the two young lads a go in my post? If it works, it works; if it doesn't, we can at least assess them properly and still hopefully finish top 7.
Julian Exshaw
114 Posted 14/03/2017 at 19:23:44
Sick to death of this never-ending saga, played out through agents and the media. Ask him directly in an honest interview whether he wants to stay or not. No agents, no hearsay!

I love Lukaku and he is arguably the best striker we've had in modern times but this nonsense leaves a bitter taste. If you are kissing our badge and love us, sign the contract! Simple. If not, thanks a lot and good luck in the Champions League!

Gary Willock
115 Posted 14/03/2017 at 19:24:12
Dan, all day long.
John Pierce
116 Posted 14/03/2017 at 19:24:50
If this story has any legs, the atmosphere come Saturday might be interesting.

Regardless of Rom's own state of mind, what about his teammates and fans in the ground?

Unless this is clarified by Saturday, it may derail this game against a very beatable side.

Poorly handled by all involved. Everton that.

Jim Burns
117 Posted 14/03/2017 at 19:25:06
That's what we want Alan @104 – positivity.
Gary Willock
118 Posted 14/03/2017 at 19:25:21
Maybe he's just a bit pissed off about Brexit and Indyref2. Give him a few days to let the emotion drain...
Jim Burns
119 Posted 14/03/2017 at 19:27:06
Dan @110 - not me.
Colin Glassar
120 Posted 14/03/2017 at 19:29:44
Sturridge? Sturridge? Ffs, I'd prefer Crouchy over that bird dancing RS douche bag.

Rob, the journos reporting this are ITK.

Phil Head
121 Posted 14/03/2017 at 19:33:20
If the reports of a difference in valuation on a possible release clause are true, then I personally think Everton have shot themselves in the foot (surprise, surprise). £90 million is a ridiculous asking price, that no-one in they're right mind is going to pay and Rom and his agent know it.

Having him on a 5-year contract with say a £75million release clause in it places us in a win-win situation. Having him with only 2 years remaining on his contract means we'll be lucky to get £35 million for him now, an unhappy fan base likely to boo him and Everton a laughing stock as usual. Well done, board!
Gavin Johnson
122 Posted 14/03/2017 at 19:33:54
Dan @110 - Yes, from me.
Paul O'Neill
123 Posted 14/03/2017 at 19:34:05
Koeman hasn't helped matters really by suggesting Lukaku needs to eventually move to a bigger club!

Remember that?

Geoff Harrison
124 Posted 14/03/2017 at 19:35:06
I sSaw Ronald deBoer talking up 'Koeman to Barcelona ' on Sky Sports this morning. I wasn't too concerned, but it just left me a little uneasy. Seems so unlikely...

Then later this (not that surprising) Lukaku news breaks. No, you're right. Nonsense. Just wondering what has changed with Lukaku over the last 2 weeks?

Zahir Jaffer
125 Posted 14/03/2017 at 19:36:02
Probably why he went to Belgium and not to Dubai – To thoroughly discuss his future plans and options with family and Co. I don't blame him.

I'd love for him to stay, yet the lad needs to be happy. If we can bend over backwards for him I'd allow it. Only if he sees us winning the title in 5 years like I do. No point keeping half ass merchants and mercenaries.

Anyone good enough to score 20+ goals and compete for the golden boot deserves to play in the Champions League. It's a league for the best of the best and we're still the best of the rest.

Last season there were doubts of him staying and I said he should stay for another season, at least, and leave for £70m next season(which is the following season). He did. I'm happy. Am I satisfied? No. I'll always want more, it's human nature to.

the way we have been playing this season along with the revamp of our current squad, we will surely be able to compete for Champions League next season. Be it with or without Lukaku. He is irreplaceable but not indispensable. I don't think we'll get another 30+ goal scorer a season if he leaves but it's not crucial if the team plays and moves like a single organism.

Someone over here told me that during Moyes's era we were a team without a striker, and now we're a striker with no team. This was about two months ago. When Coleman was our second highest scorer.

What I'm saying is in these past two months, yes Lukaku is crucial but everyone else has started to chip in with goals too. It's not easy finding a top striker who'll come to a non Champions League side, but I'm happy our team is coming together and grinding out wins.

Woah, this is a lot of redundant rambling. Pardon me: if he wants to stay let him, if he wants to go let him go. He'll win the golden boot and if clubs aren't willing to break the bank for him, they obviously don't love him and value him like we do.

Alright, I've said my peace. Love the lad. I hope he can see the clubs great future, like we saw in him.

Damian Wilde
126 Posted 14/03/2017 at 19:36:02
Dan (#110), are you joking?
Brent Stephens
127 Posted 14/03/2017 at 19:37:18
Gary (#113). I just think that's a risk not worth taking. And surely it is a risk.
Ste Traverse
128 Posted 14/03/2017 at 19:37:43
'Drop him and play Calvert-Lewin' yes, that's as much the answer as beauts on here in the recent past suggesting we get rid of him and players like Shane Long, Charlie Austin, even Big Vic, would be adequate replacements.
Frank Crewe
129 Posted 14/03/2017 at 19:38:15
@Steve Hogan 101

The players you mention all signed for Barca or Real Madrid. Clubs that actually have a chance of winning the Champions League.

We are always hearing this "I want to play in the Champions League." Well sign for Celtic then. They're in the Champions League every season. What they really mean is "I want to play in the Champions League with a club that can win it".

As I've already pointed out the clubs that have the best chance of winning the Champions League won't sign Lukaku. They both have more, not to mention better, strikers than him.

Personally, if this story turns out to be true of course, I would use him as sparingly as possible. We have other strikers. Time to see what they can do. You mention Calvert-Lewin doesn't have any big game experience. Well unless he plays in big games he's unlikely to get any and I think a run out against Hull will hardly do him any harm and may do him and Everton some good.

Realistically nothing is going to happen until the summer. We'll find out where we stand and what sides that are likely to buy Lukaku actually made it into the Champions League and are prepared to stump up the £90 million required to get him. I don't think there will be that many.

Julian Exshaw
130 Posted 14/03/2017 at 19:38:30
@Colin (#120). Haha, I couldn't agree more!
Anton Walsh
131 Posted 14/03/2017 at 19:43:27
This Champions League thing is the biggest load of bollox going. Do you think he would have signed for Leicester at the start of the season.

Next it will be I wanna play in China cause I love using chop sticks. Money, my friends, nowt else.

And guess what – we'd all do the same in his shoes. He has no allegence to Everton. Get shut or be held to ransom.

Tony Hill
132 Posted 14/03/2017 at 19:43:48
I'm not surprised he's going, nor by the manner in which it has been handled by his agent, who is pure trash. He wants Champions LeagueL football, fair enough; he owes us nothing as far as I can see.

I am confident we will get a very good price and get in other potent players. We might also change our style into a more attractive one, I hope.

I have little doubt Koeman and Walsh have known he was going anyway.

Daniel A Johnson
133 Posted 14/03/2017 at 19:45:06
Lukaku should go. He is easily good enough for the Champions League.

What can we offer? Mediocre wages, the faint promise of a top 4 challenge and a nice picture of a stadium which might get built.

We have nothing to offer; he holds all the aces so sell and get top dollar. It's sad to say but it's all we can do.

Peter McHugh
134 Posted 14/03/2017 at 19:45:08
Dan (#110) – defo but don't see that offer being on table!
Charles McCann
135 Posted 14/03/2017 at 19:46:08
If this is true and that Lukaku doesn't see his future with our great club, then I would be tempted to drop him. What's the point in playing someone whose heart is probably not really in it anymore?

Bit sickened by this news but he is not irreplaceable. I agree with those who are more concerned with keeping Ross.

The timing of this is really bad and could potentially disrupt our end-of-season. Not really surprised but it still feels a bit like a kick in the teeth. :(

Trevor Lynes
136 Posted 14/03/2017 at 19:46:13
The only thing foolish is believing everything written and reported in the media as gospel. Until it is made official by the club, I for one will not blindly believe something that may just be rumour or scandal mongering.

Fans on here seem to dislike the young man and this is a player who is head and shoulders above anyone else on the books at scoring goals. He also creates goals and his all around play has really improved of late. EFC are paying him decent money and so far he is earning it in full.

If indeed it is true that he wants away then he will continue to score goals for us until he is sold. Every good game he plays for us enhances his value and the fans on here who are calling for him to be dropped must be insane.

I hope he sticks a couple in the net against Liverpool and the rest of the team play well enough to gain a victory at Anfield.

We have made loads of money out of selling our best players for years and we are seen as a selling club. This has gone on for donkeys years and even during the time we have played in the Premier League. Rooney, Arteta, Fellaini and Stones all brought good profits which were not spent fully.

If Lukaku nets the club £75 million or more who believes the manager will receive all the profits to invest in the team? We took in £47 million for Stones and spent £45 million. None of the promised £100 million was used at all.

We could have signed Brahimi and Gabbiadini but did not. We still do not have a real playmaker and instead of signing Gabbiadini we settled for Valencia on loan.

I still think we can get the most out of Lukaku for the rest of this season and God Willing next season too. Don't forget that Barkley has still to sign a new contract and he is a Liverpool lad.

Jay Harris
137 Posted 14/03/2017 at 19:46:51
I agree with Tony Twist in that we should have put more effort into bringing another quality forward in that would compete with Lukaku for game time and let him know he wasnt the main man.

Instead the club have endowed him with praise and gone on about begging him to stay.

We should have more pride and for anyone whose heart is elsewhere, let someone who wants to wear the shirt play and make him realize he is already at a big club where competition for places is ripe..

We are still too small-minded and as for Bill and Ben still conducting negotiations – the mind boggles.

Rick Tarleton
138 Posted 14/03/2017 at 19:47:22
What Lukaku means is he wants to be with a club that will pay him more than Everton and with whom he has a chance of more glory and trophies.

Realistically, Bayern, Real Madrid and Barcelona don't want him. His level is Paris St Germain, Borussia Dortmund or possibly one of the English clubs, but we know Mourinho doesn't fancy him, would Guadiola or Pocchetino fancy a player whose movement and ability or willingness to press is not exactly of the highest?

There's possibly Arsenal, or would he cross Stanley Park? I think he may be talking or possibly his agent's talking, but how realistic his ambitions are remain to be proved.

Terry Farrell
139 Posted 14/03/2017 at 19:47:37
HenrIk and Eddie – voices of reason. If Sturridge wore the royal blue and did that stupid dance, I would take a lifetime ban to run on the pitch and snap his arms off!!

The guy is never fit and Klopp knows he's a sulk. He will go to someone like West Ham.
Bob McEvoy
140 Posted 14/03/2017 at 19:48:21
Henrik @90... pretty much what I said to my London-based Toffee son on the phone re the potential buyers and, of course, a good chance Man Utd won't qualify for the Champions League.
Dan Davies
141 Posted 14/03/2017 at 19:48:45
No, Damian, not joking... just seeing what people would think about a deal like that. I could easily have said, "Would anyone take cash plus Rooney plus Rashford for Rom?"
Dermot Byrne
142 Posted 14/03/2017 at 19:53:33
Yeah, look back before the Bournemouth game. Then take 4 off his total. And the easy goal Barkley made for him last week that any striker could get.

And the blame on the team mates when he doesn't score an easy one. And the arrogance when he scores and no connection with the fans that make his £140,000 a week unacceptable. Of course he wants that and players round him rather than work hard for success.

Bright lad. Great life ahead of him. Used the system and our club very well. Pint with him? No, selfish twat as many are now. May be time to stop supporting a game that is Trumpesque.

Brian Hennessy
143 Posted 14/03/2017 at 19:56:28
I wonder what his current release clause figure is??
Christy Ring
145 Posted 14/03/2017 at 19:57:12
Sturridge, another Gibson in disguise. I still think there could be another twist in this story. It all depends on our ambition, and spending big in the summer, and moving to the docks would be huge.
Dermot Byrne
146 Posted 14/03/2017 at 19:58:27
Badly put but enough of this shit. Just feel a manipulated knob by the game now. In the end after 90 mins the sport just fucks us all off.

We are stupid.

Frank Crewe
147 Posted 14/03/2017 at 19:59:03
Rick 138

Completely agree. Talking about moving is a lot easier than actually moving. Especially at the price we're looking for. If he does go we could probably get two of three players with the cash. What about this guy. Scored 28 goals in forty games.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uD82fH8_Gn0

Apparently he's available for £15 million. There's always other fish in the football sea.

Rick Tarleton
148 Posted 14/03/2017 at 19:59:35
I wrote last week about the greatest player of my lifetime as a blue, the incomparable Alex Young and I used words like "humble" "dignified" and "noble", does anyone here think that, in 50 years time, anyone would use such words about Lukaku?
Gary Willock
149 Posted 14/03/2017 at 20:00:04
Brent ― what risk? We lose a place in the league and get to see how they cope? Personally, I don't want aNYONE playing who is not 100% with us. If he has decided to go, he is already a part of our past.
Peter Roberts
150 Posted 14/03/2017 at 20:00:05
Dan, I would settle for that. Martial while not the complete article is still only 20.

Anyone suggestion Sturbridge needs their head testing. His fitness record makes Gibson look like Lou Gehrig (before the MND)

Will Mabon
151 Posted 14/03/2017 at 20:00:53
Joe, post 63:

"Could people stop mentioning Sturridge as any type of replacement please."

Thank you.

David Barks
152 Posted 14/03/2017 at 20:02:01
Rick,

Would anyone use those words about Messi or Ronaldo? They're still magnificent players, so who the hell cares if you would use the word "humble" to describe them?

Mick Davies
153 Posted 14/03/2017 at 20:02:35
Gavin @ 50, so Lukaku used us as a stepping stone for 4 years, yet you want a has-been like Rooney back, who used us as a stepping stone for only 2 years? Strange logic.

Personally, I don't think Rom will do any good with the pressure of a top 4 club who expect 100% work rate, and goals against Chelsea, Man Utd etc – something Lukaku doesn't seem to have in his locker. He should be asking why Chelsea got rid without him ever scoring a goal for them; even missing a pen in an important match where the pressure got to him.

I'm sure for the transfer fee we can get a hungry, harder working striker who will suit the manager's pressing philosophy. Tim Cahill was actually nominated for the Ballon d'Or but never once asked for a move – I prefer players who want to be at Everton to mercenaries, so thanks for the memories and good riddance to the bad smells from his dad and agent.

Ed Fitzgerald
154 Posted 14/03/2017 at 20:04:32
I'd love him to stay but he doesn't want to and at least he has said he doesn't now so we need to start thinking about who we will sell him to and for how much. To be fair, Koeman was talking him up and mentioning Barca as a destination a while back.

Even Kendall was lured by Barca in 85-86 and we ended up selling Lineker after a season, so It wouldn't surprise me if both Koeman and Rom moved on in the summer – it's the nature (sadly) of football these days. I wouldn't drop him, though – what possible purpose will that serve?

Patrick Murphy
155 Posted 14/03/2017 at 20:04:56
Dermot (#146),

It does start to get to you when all you hear are lies and half-truths from every self-interested part of the game, be it the Chairman, agents, managers, media or players.

Household name pundits who only give an opinion that will suit the demographic that hang on to their every word and people like Carragher who think it's cool to be taken seriously on MNF but act like childish idiots when something goes wrong at Goodison. Apart from that, it's still fun though, isn't it?

Colin Glassar
156 Posted 14/03/2017 at 20:05:24
Vinny O'Connor just tweeted that the deal is still on, as are talks. I'm going to bed.
Gavin Johnson
157 Posted 14/03/2017 at 20:07:06
Surprised you'd want Martial, Peter. As you've always been highly critical of Rom, I would have thought you'd be wanting us to go for a grafter like Troy Deeney than a talented but inconsistent player.

I think everyone's going over the top in their reaction to Lukaku. What would be the point in dropping him when we still have a chance, albeit remote, of finishing 4th. Plus every goal he scores in the run-in will add £££s to his transfer fee.

Brian Harrison
158 Posted 14/03/2017 at 20:08:09
Might be jumping the gun but, if he goes, then I think Llorente from Swansea and Rashford from Man Utd wouldn't be bad replacements.
Mark Morrissey
159 Posted 14/03/2017 at 20:09:37
I could not care less. I watch the likes of Gabbiadini now at Southampton bought for £15 million and I think sell sell sell. He annoys the shit out of me always agitating to leave. Fuck off. Don't care. Make a fortune out of him and move on.

He's a posturing self-centred deluded prick who can score goals. Give me someone else who actually gives a shit about Everton. Sell please and remove him from our website. Egotistical, small minded mercenary. Go to Chelsea and rot.

Colin Malone
160 Posted 14/03/2017 at 20:09:38
Why all the fuss? I honestly don't give a fuck. Taraa Kenwyn, me thinks you'rr going to fall flat on your face, so bye bye and COME ON YOU MIGHTY BLUES.
Phil Martin
161 Posted 14/03/2017 at 20:11:52
More Bullshit from the world's most slippery agent. Get him signed, then sell for £80M.
Chris Gould
162 Posted 14/03/2017 at 20:12:18
His agent has played us. He told everyone that Rom was 99.99% certain to sign a new contract in order to encourage a Champions League club to commit to buying him in the summer. Once he had confirmation from a suitable club... the new deal is binned.

Why else go public with a 99.99% certainty? Why not simply wait to give an announcement when it was signed?

I hate the fact that I love this game. It sucks.

Viv Sharma
163 Posted 14/03/2017 at 20:13:54
Every other team in the world is managing without him, we'll be fine.

Not fussed about losing him. I have faith that our new management will find plenty of quality to replace him. Regardless of our striking situation, I believe the summer window will see us add quality all over the park.

The only thing I dislike here is his attitude. Want to leave? Understandable (although this is the only real place you have flourished) but show some damn respect. Come out and say so directly. Don't mock us. Something along the lines of "I feel now is the time for me to move on and I want both Everton and the club to benefit from this."

The cheeky and childish "triple no" with a smirk implies "I'm leaving. You lot can go get fucked. I'm better than you and I don't give a shit if I screw you over to get mine."

We should take a strong stance and bench him. Don't let players decide when they are done with us.
This club is founded on respect, humility, dignity. If you don't behave like a grown-up, you don't get treated like one.
Read the room, Rom.

Ian Horan
164 Posted 14/03/2017 at 20:14:10
I think the answer lies in his aspirations, how about sit him down and his agent. "Rom lad, the Premier League is awash with money therefore Chelsea, Man Utd et al – it's £80 million, old son; any of Europe's elite and it's €70 mill plus 20% of any sell on back to a Premier League team. Sign the new contract or warm the bench!!!"

Remember, Rom, that golden boot is so close!!!

Darren Hind
165 Posted 14/03/2017 at 20:14:25
"Drop him"?

What and start getting 1-2 of the tackling machines into the opposition box, like?

Martin Mason
166 Posted 14/03/2017 at 20:15:28
We must move heaven and earth to keep Rom. What we do now will determine whether we ever break through the class barrier. Stones went, if Rom goes we are consigned to the Europa League at best. The top teams in Europe do not let players go unless they want it.

I'm hoping it's just a negotiating tactic. My view has always been that Rom is a league above where we are now, he is the key to us reaching his level.

Mike Doyle
167 Posted 14/03/2017 at 20:15:30
We've known since he arrived that EFC has been a stepping stone – and while we might not like it, in fairness to Rom he's never really hidden his ambitions.

Be interesting to see who comes in for him or indeed who can afford him. Suspect Rick T is right on his analysis of the runners & riders.

Very good player but, when he does go, I suspect those of us of a certain age won't be feeling like we did when Bally left. Many still haven't got over that (though my late dad maintained that Tony Kay was a bigger loss).

James Newcombe
168 Posted 14/03/2017 at 20:16:33
As soon as the agent came out with the "99.9%" line I knew he wasn't going to sign! Hits a purple patch and starts thinking he's Pele again. Get rid.
Mike Berry
169 Posted 14/03/2017 at 20:20:06
Eddie Dunn (#68), Spot on, pal.

If he wants to go then so be it, it's not as if it's a shock, he has stated his intentions many times and we were deluded to think he would do otherwise.

Yes, we may be 1 or 2 years away from challenging for the Champions League but we are heading in the right direction.Two teams above us are also going to be disappointed by losing out so Rom needs to be clear as to the greener grass? Therefore, the continent may beckon.

There are other strikers out there, who if given the supply will score goals. I predict that we are going to have a very exciting future, with a fantastic new ground and some great youngsters breaking into the first team. We will become an envied club because the grassroots and structure and being put in place.

Take the money and move on; relax – everything will work out fine.

Darren Hind
170 Posted 14/03/2017 at 20:21:50
"His agent has played us"

Come on, Chris, we hardly needed much playing. We've known this day was coming for two years and, in true Everton fashion, we are still totally unprepared.

Mike Moore
171 Posted 14/03/2017 at 20:22:12
Mark (#159), I think mate you have some summed up both him and the situation up perfectly.
Joe Foster
172 Posted 14/03/2017 at 20:26:48
Typical, just as things seem to be moving in the right direction, a spanner gets thrown in the works.
Garry Corgan
173 Posted 14/03/2017 at 20:27:00
Some very measured and sensible comments on here. Here's mine:

Fuck him. He's done nothing but mouth off and disrespect the club from the moment he joined. Yes, he's scored a lot of goals, but he's also strolled around the pitch like it's a day at the park and barely bothers to celebrate goals. I've often wondered if that attitude of his, amongst others, wasn't the cause of the dressing room unrest that was obvious last season.

Put him in with the Under-23s until the summer then get rid.

Dave Williams
174 Posted 14/03/2017 at 20:28:04
This guy is only concerned with himself and has no feelings for the club which we all do.

Sell for top dollar – we have had to replace far better than him over the years and let's just make sure we get good money.

Liverpool had exactly the same problem with Suarez and found a way which didn't involve finding a top striker. We will survive – let him go!

Chris Gould
175 Posted 14/03/2017 at 20:29:33
Darren, I think the club, and some of us fans, kidded ourselves into believing that he might give it another season to see if we could make top 4.

I was 50/50 and then recently started to believe he would stay... more fool me.

Dave Williams
176 Posted 14/03/2017 at 20:30:50
Just reading the thread; Mark Morrisey – absolutely!!
Geoff Williams
177 Posted 14/03/2017 at 20:33:10
Doesn't he still have two more seasons left on his contract? Everton should use this summer to get the best striker they can afford and keep Lukaku for another season then sell him.
I am more concerned about the Barkley situation. We can't lose both of them.
David Barks
178 Posted 14/03/2017 at 20:33:46
We've had years, literally years, to build our attack around him. Instead, in the latter stages of this season we are putting out a team with at least four central midfielders in every single match, and at most one wide player (Mirallas or Lookman, never both). Our shiny new weapon, Davies, is already starting to move backward, as a young player often will do. Lookman is already out of the team.

Our attack in the last match at home to West Brom was Lukaku with only Barkley and Mirallas in support. Even in that match we still went with Barry and Schneiderlin in midfield, with Davies running around, not quite sure where he was supposed to be.

At Spurs Lukaku was left isolated up top with nobody except Barkley in support, while Barkley was often having to get the ball in our own third since we were set up so deep the entire match. So yeah, Lukaku could continue to play in that system and somehow still lead the league in goals. Or he could go to a top club that will always set out the team to attack and win matches.

All last Summer, these pages were flooded with excuses as to why we didn't make any big signings. We were told we can't attract the top players when we're mid-table and not in the Champions League. But now many of those same people are talking about how easy it's going to be to replace one of the best strikers in Europe, while we're still mid-table and not in the Champions League. I'm sure Aguero will be banging down our doors to sign up and spend Thursday nights in Russia. If you want to be outraged with anyone, take it up with the Board who have still not spent the money that is required to compete at the top.

John G Davies
179 Posted 14/03/2017 at 20:35:24
He will finish up top scorer. A vastly improved player, his touch has improved, his physical strength is being used more every game, he has a better awareness. The sooner he goes, the better all round.

Two years left... we still have the upper hand. He has to be sold in the summer though.

I trust the manager to spend the fee on two players to replicate the total of goals Lukaku scores. Buy Mertens with a large offer and a centre forward with remainder.

Charlie Lloyd
180 Posted 14/03/2017 at 20:35:58
Gavin @ 157.

Well said. Why drop him.

There's no release clause at present. Let him play. Score his goals. We get every penny we can. We move on.

He's always struck me as highly ambitious and I can't fault it but little interest in our club.

Colin Glassar
181 Posted 14/03/2017 at 20:38:03
Twitter is interesting tonight. McNulty saying the offer is still on the table, Joe Anderson getting grief from RedShite about the stadium. They are determined to torpedo our new ground.
James Welford
182 Posted 14/03/2017 at 20:38:16
This is nothing compared to the day I found out Unsy was going to West Ham. Or the day Big Dunc went to Newcastle. Or the day Rooney went to the Mancs.

Two of those are back. I reckon the 3rd will too in a deal this summer + £50m. If Wayne becomes the coach/manager he says he will, well I for one find that exciting.

We'll get another forward. We've got a good manager and DoF who'll find someone.

Rom is an asset. He's not a legend. Nil Satis Nisi Optimum.

David Milner
183 Posted 14/03/2017 at 20:38:39
If he wants to go at the end of the season, fine, let's help him win the golden boot (or whatever it is called) for the most goals & see his value go up.

£50 mill from Chelski plus Michy Batshuayi in part exchange will do me. That's £50 mill to spend on 3 class players, Lukasz Teodorczyk-Kasper Dolberg-Youri Tielemans. Then the Sky money can be spent on a goalie, centre back & 2 full backs.

Sounds good when you look at it like that doesn't it.

Lee Whitehead
184 Posted 14/03/2017 at 20:43:03
I know times have changed...

BUT:

Alex (Sandy) Young, Dixie, Tommy Lawton, Dave Hickson, Alex Young, Joe Royle, Big Bob, Sharpie, Gary Lineker, Big Dunc, Andy Gray, Super Kev etc

All the above were proper centre-forwards who showed a pride in wearing the blue shirt – unlike the big, lazy, fat, overrated shithouse who is full of his own importance.

He is one total prick who is a legend in his own mind. Sell him and let's move on!!

COYB

John Pierce
185 Posted 14/03/2017 at 20:43:20
'Niasse' the crap out of him.

Take away his locker, his shirt number, and make him train with the Under-12s.

Joseph Terrence
186 Posted 14/03/2017 at 20:45:12
It makes no sense to drop him to the reserves. Play him and let him score some more so that we can squeeze out a few million extra.
Colin Grierson
187 Posted 14/03/2017 at 20:47:13
No alarms and no surprises. He's scored goals for us and on occasion looked unplayable but those occasions have been few and far between. He's also looked shite in equal amounts, but his goal scoring record is why he's able to behave on this manner. You can't argue with it.

He may go on and achieve greatness in the game, he may not. I don't wish him ill, but I won't follow his career like others who have graced us and left.

I'm as indifferent to him as he has been to us. I'd have Big Dunc over him any day of the week. Let's cash in and go and find another Blue legend.

Tony Woods
188 Posted 14/03/2017 at 20:47:54
I just hope another Stones saga doesn't sour what has been a promising season.
James Flynn
189 Posted 14/03/2017 at 20:50:17
If this is final, my guess is that his agent has already negotiated a deal with some big club and Everton's demand in a transfer fee is more than they want to pay. For sure, Koeman's gonna have some interesting press conferences.

Wonder what Lukaku is going to hear when he walks out into Goodison this weekend. Still, though, I hope it's all BS and Rom is staying.

Phil Martin
190 Posted 14/03/2017 at 20:50:42
It's okay, we'll get him back, and offer him a nice retirement contract when he's 31 and fucked.
Mark Dunford
191 Posted 14/03/2017 at 20:52:35
Not a great surprise but disappointing news all the same. Kane's injury means he is likely to finish top scorer in the league.

As others have said, he has been here four years and delivered a lot. Footballers have a short career and he is capable of playing at the top; it is a sensible time to move for his career and he could easily have gone last summer.

He may only get two moves in his career from now on.. Chelski may well need another forward, are a shoo in for the league title and may we'll lose their unpleasant forward over the Summer; there is PSG, an ageing Bayern team and the top Spanish teams to spark an auction.

The difference with Suarez, Bale and Ronaldo is that we have no real idea where he will end up. My guess is he will go abroad – possibly to PSG. One of the few positions where don't have decent backup. Still, Niasse is also scoring!!! There is always hope.

Kev Johnson
192 Posted 14/03/2017 at 20:57:11
Leave your kit in the basket and close the door behind you. Everton will still exist with or without you.
Andy Meighan
193 Posted 14/03/2017 at 20:59:04
The only reason he's still here is because no so-called Champions League club came in for him at the end of last season. All he's done since he joined us is mouthed off about wanting to join a bigger and better club.

Yes, he's had a good season but the same fella has downed tools after January the two seasons before. And let's not forget we might have an FA Cup sitting in the cabinet if it weren't for his misses and shit penalty in last year's semi.

He's got the first touch of a bagatelle and his record against the top sides is hardly prolific. Looks like we will get £60 mil at least for him so we've doubled our outlay. I'm sure Koeman has someone in mind.

I just hope he goes out with a bang in the derby and tears them apart... I won't hold my breath on that, though. Shut the door on your way out, big head.
Darryl Ritchie
194 Posted 14/03/2017 at 21:01:16
This is where Walsh will have to earn his paycheque. If, or when, Lukaku leaves in the summer, we will need a quality replacement. Last time I looked we were "best of the rest". Not a huge draw for proven quality strikers (or proven quality any position, for that matter).

How many players balked at coming to Everton last summer? Even bloody Sissoko turned us down.

Hungry, talented, but unproven youngsters are our future. The scouts need scour the world, not just Britain, for talent, if we are to be better than 7th.

Mike Allen
195 Posted 14/03/2017 at 21:08:26
No blame attached to Everton or slagging off Kewright over this. If the lad wanted Champions League football, why didn't he knuckle down at Chelsea? We paid top dollar for a loan player by a manager who would have hooked the player off many times if he hadn't paid a fortune for him.

Goalscorer? Yes... but good footballer? I don't think so; for that reason, the grass may not be greener on the side.
Jason Bowen
196 Posted 14/03/2017 at 21:10:23
For those who are questioning why to drop him? Because he has always treated our club with contempt, that's why.

To publicly giggle and smirk and say "No, no, no," when being questioned about his new contract, to constantly do irritating little things when he is on international duty to belittle us, to never be happy that he is playing for us. If we don't make a stand against it then it opens the floodgates for other players to do the same.

Drop him immediately and never let him play for us again, the contempt he has always shown us is a disgrace and he aint even that good. We have had four years out of the prick, let him rot in the reserves and see how many clubs want him in two years time.

Steve Ferns
197 Posted 14/03/2017 at 21:14:16
I tried to find the article / quote to support the following, but I couldn't find it straight away so bollocks to it.

Basically, Lukaku made it clear, videos are there for all to see if they trawl for them, that he was disappointed not to leave us last summer. He said something along the lines of he was now taking it game by game and would see what happens and wasn't looking too far into the future.

The lad made it clear that he thought he was ready to go up a level last summer. Instead, we forced him to stay, and unless we pulled off a miracle and got top 4, he was always going to leave this summer.

Now onto today's story. My thoughts are:-

Who leaked it?
Why did they leak it?

Did Rom or his agent leak it? No, what have they to gain? Rom has the most dishonourable agent out there. Of course he's trying to flog him to every club he can. All he was interested in was making sure it was for the maximum to maximise his fee – see Pogba. He can do this better on the quiet, behind Everton's backs. The guy goes to meet, say Chelsea, as the agent for another of their players, no-one knows about the meeting about Rom. No reason for them to leak it.

So is it good journalism uncovering this story?

Or is it Everton themselves? Why would Everton leak this story? Maybe they want to get a bidding war underway? Maybe they want to get a deal done early? Maybe they want Rom to play better in the last few games to get his dream move? Maybe they want Rom's replacement to know he's coming in for Rom and so our interest is genuine? Maybe it's to let Rom's agent know we have drawn a line in the sand and we won't budge: sign the deal, we won't lower the release clause below £ X mil. I hope it is just a contract negotiation tactic and it works.

Kevin Rowlands
198 Posted 14/03/2017 at 21:15:12
David B, er, we won the West Brom match 3-0!

I have actually warmed up to him a bit the last several months, he has definitely upped his game and effort along with Barkley.

Like others though this doesn't suprise me one bit, he was always going to move on, if not this summer then next, we have to accept it and adjust, which we will.

Eddie Dunn
199 Posted 14/03/2017 at 21:18:55
I think we are making progress, but many of us are underwhelmed at how much money we have spent, and we still await concrete news on the new stadium.

Lukaku is running out of time in a short career. If he wants to become one of the best strikers in world football, then he either needs to be convinced that our "project" is happening, and at the speed that would give him a chance to achieve what he wants.

If not, then it is no wonder that his head may be turned towards a club with Champions League football and a realistic chance of domestic silverware.

He could do his cruciate tomorrow and spend a year out. He owes us nothing, he has got us lots of goals, and if we sell him this summer we should still get good money for him.

He isn't one of our own, he is an employee of a club, if his thyroid went bonkers and he put on 5 stone, I don't suppose anyone on here would be overly concerned. It is a symbiotic relationship until one of the parasites decides that the other is no longer helpful.

Paul Birmingham
200 Posted 14/03/2017 at 21:20:31
The club must act appropriately and be right down the line and be straight up. I'm still none the wiser as to what is fact, fiction anecdotal, media hype and bull. Let's see if the agent adds any more lines to this festering saga.

EFC will emerge I hope out this saga stronger, wiser and in a good position, and a clear line-of-sight objective in the resolution of Rom.

No point in taking any bait as far as I can see; this is another crock we have to tread and uncanny of the timing and how EFC communications manager, always remains tight lipped.

It makes wonder what really goes on... in terms of EFC's modern day transfer sagas management and speculation.

Let's hope the team is not affected (Koeman to allay and put down any signs of unrest) for Hull; the week off, potentially a time for more rumours, then two games.

A lifetime of anguish, and perhaps fate, contrives again but maybe this is just another twist? Farhad – now is the time to really make a statement.
Phil (Kelsall) Roberts
201 Posted 14/03/2017 at 21:34:00
Seems like the two main suitors are:

The club that decided he was not good enough so sold him to us for £28m;

Or:

The club managed by the guy who thought he was not good enough so sold him for £28m.

He obviously will feel very wanted.

Peter Murray
202 Posted 14/03/2017 at 21:35:19
Nice timing, Romelu.

The main consideration now for the manager and the coaching staff is to make sure this does not have too damaging an effect on team morale.

The club should already be working full out for a Summer replacement.

Colin Glassar
203 Posted 14/03/2017 at 21:41:40
Great night for Leicester. I see Kante was there to cheer on his old team. I wonder if Rom will go and see us when we win the Champions League?
Roger Helm
204 Posted 14/03/2017 at 21:42:10
It all leaves a bad taste. As John Arlott said, there are decent and honourable men in in football – the problem is they're outnumbered 20 to 1.

Douglas McClenaghan
205 Posted 14/03/2017 at 21:46:48
No surprise here. Let's hope that Plan B is well under way.
Patrick Murphy
206 Posted 14/03/2017 at 21:47:20
Colin (#203),

It was a great night for the Foxes; however, the sooner they are out, the happier I'll be as they might rob Everton of any chance of European footy, very unlikely, but anything can happen if it's still possible.

Mike Green
207 Posted 14/03/2017 at 21:52:06
Spot on Chris Leyland #48 - it's all a pantomime.
Tom Bowers
208 Posted 14/03/2017 at 21:52:25
Eddie Dunn has nailed it and echoed a lot of what I posted yesterday. Everton are the employers and Rom. (the employee)knows full well that if they don't come up with the goods then someone else will.

That's what it is all about in modern day sports because worldwide television coverage guarantees the ridiculous wages and bonuses etc. I hate to say it but if he is actually itching to move and is demanding the earth then drop him to the reserves for the remainder of the season.

In some cases if a club capitulates to a players exorbitant demands then the player sometimes fails to deliver the following season. As I said yesterday he is not irreplaceable so if it's going to happen, make a decision quickly, ship him out and start shopping.

John Daley
209 Posted 14/03/2017 at 21:57:32
"Don't forget that Barkley has still to sign a new contract and he is a Liverpool lad."

He can't sign a new contract until one is actually offered.

Koeman said only today: "There are talks planned. I don't think talks have started yet."

As for Lukaku? The speculation over his future has persisted ever since he first put pen to paper and the pendulum has swung from 'pissing off' to 'staying put' about sixteen times according to the press, his pimp and his Pa.

As such, this latest 'leaving' story shouldn't really surprise anyone and has probably been let out the bag in a 'before it's too late' attempt to try and draw out any serious suitors and, failing that, force the club to fall in line with a release clause more in line with what Lukaku's mob are looking for if it looks like he has no other option but to stay put for longer.

Bill Gall
210 Posted 14/03/2017 at 21:58:12
Is this any different than when Lineker decided to leave.
Colin Glassar
211 Posted 14/03/2017 at 22:03:56
Let them enjoy it while they can Patrick.

If we sell Rom for let's say £70m we could buy:

Schmeicel – £25m
Keane – £20m
Sigurdsson – £25m
Batsuyahi – £30m

That's a total spend of £30m and the team is stronger all round.

Don't go Rom, but if you do I've already spent the dough.

Seamus McCrudden
212 Posted 14/03/2017 at 22:07:07
Lol – nice one, Glasstrodamus.
Mike Moore
213 Posted 14/03/2017 at 22:08:10
Lineker didn't engineer a move, Barcelona came in with a big bid (at the time); Everton board accepted it. Totally different.
John Mckay
214 Posted 14/03/2017 at 22:09:16
I love Rom, he is a beast. I'm fed up of all this talk too but look at it this way he cost us £28m which is fuck all in today's market.

Sell him in the summer for £60-70m; if he doesn't get an offer of that fee then don't sell him. Keep the offer on the table with a release clause of £60-70m ― if he signs and he goes we still get £60-70m. Most clubs won't take that kind of risk on him anyway.

He's given us 3 years of goals, you can't knock his ambitions and can't knock his effort/determination.

Even if he doesn't sign we don't have to sell this summer even with 1 year on his contract next year people will still throw £30-40m at him trying to get a bargain and before all the big clubs come calling offering him massive wages. We still offered Kiev £20-30m for Yarmolenko when he was in his last 6-12 months. It's a win win for us we keep him and his goals and still sell him for at least what we paid.

Sometimes I think he is too greedy like he just runs at goal and sometimes still has a lot to do when there are other players in positions where they can get a tap in but he wants the goal himself. If we get another striker who is less greedy and still can score 10-15 goals a season it won't be all bad; they might get more assists because they are less greedy. Only seems we will be missing a great player because he scored most of our goals and he scored most of them because he won't pass and let others score.

I'll be sad if he goes but it's up to him. Thanks for all the goals Lukaku if you go in the summer good luck in the future.

Chris Corn
215 Posted 14/03/2017 at 22:10:54
More fool those who thought that, by signing a contract, it would have secured his long term future in any case. All a contract does is make him an extra few tens of thousands a week.

Even if he had signed it, I would have fully expected him to be touted round and leave in the summer. In my view, there's nothing to see here.

Nicholas Ryan
216 Posted 14/03/2017 at 22:14:04
We should call his and his agent's bluff, by announcing tomorrow morning that he is available in the next window for £70 million; cash up-front; one single payment, and he will not be allowed to leave on any other terms. Then wait for the ensuing, deafening silence!
Brian Wilkinson
217 Posted 14/03/2017 at 22:18:16
Colin, I am with you with Batshuayi all the way! I would take him at the drop of a hat.

Each year, it's the same with Lukaku: either international break or a Champions League fixture.

I get slated for saying cash in now but, if he wants pastures elsewhere, then sell to the highest bidder.

It cannot be helping the dressing room and if the guy thinks he better and the grass is greener on the other side then go, no player is bigger than Everton, so if he wants to move on with ambition then just go.

Is he one of the best strikers we have had for a while? Too right... but for those wanting him to stay, me included, it is no good keeping a player who wants out.

Brian Wilkinson
218 Posted 14/03/2017 at 22:20:53
Mike@213, spot on, Lineker did not want to move, Kendall as good as told him to sign for Barcelona, not forgetting we all thought Kendall was going to Barcelona ― including Kendall himself.
Laura Round
219 Posted 14/03/2017 at 22:28:57
John (#214),

'Sometimes I think he is too greedy like he just runs at goal and sometimes still has a lot to do when there are other players in positions where they can get a tap in but he wants the goal himself.

If we get another striker who is less greedy and still can score 10-15 goals a season, it won't be all bad they might get more assists because they are less greedy.

Only seems we will be missing a great player because he scored most of our goals and he scored most of them because he won't pass and let others score.'

I've thought this a few times. Like against Sunderland. Okay, he beat Oviedo and Pickford but only just while Valencia to his left was in front of the open goal. As I said earlier, people seem scared to have a go sometimes in case he starts flapping his arms with his back to goal surrounded by three men. Even then, how many times do we see the ball delivered to be bounced straight off him.

If he stays and scores, I'll sing. If he goes, I'll live.

Tony Abrahams
220 Posted 14/03/2017 at 22:29:58
Most sensible post of the lot that, Colin (#211). Football doesn't stand still for anyone, and if he wants to leave then it's all about spending the money wisely.

Colin Williams
221 Posted 14/03/2017 at 22:35:31
Mark (#159), I second everything you said about that overrated prick!!
David Hallwood
222 Posted 14/03/2017 at 22:36:26
If reports are to be believed, it all hinges on the the fact that Everton want a £90 million trigger whereas the Lukaku team want something likes £65-70 million.

If this is the case, you have to admit they have a point, and let's face it, the 'new contract' would only be a wage rise til close season, and he's off anyway.

Ian Smitham
223 Posted 14/03/2017 at 22:52:38
Brian @218, quite, and with due respect to all, I believed it then and it tarnished my views after they left?

Mike @213, I seem to recall at the time I did not think the price for a player of such standing was anything out of the ordinary and Everton should have held out for more. One day, someone will share with us what actually happened.

Ian Smitham
224 Posted 14/03/2017 at 22:57:57
Just while I am here, and I bet it has been covered before, maybe I have missed it. Has anyone else thought or noticed that, when Lukaku scores, there is little celebration with the other players... and when anyone else scores, he hardly makes much effort to join in the fun of the moment?
Bill Gall
225 Posted 14/03/2017 at 22:59:47
The trouble with replacing Lukaku is there is no guarantee that to bring in a compatible striker from another club, he may be under contract, and the club will not sell him. As been commented, a compatible striker is worth his weight in gold and clubs do not want to loose them.

The major problem is that this is happening during the first year of rebuilding, and could influence the likes of Barkley making a decision to sign a new contract. The club has to make a decisive stand on what the future holds.

As Colin stated, in this day and age, money talks and there is nothing we can do about it. A player wishing to leave to a more successful club, rather than staying on promises that may not materialize, is happening to a number of clubs, and rather than replacing one man, the manager may have to alter the tactics by bringing in a couple of players to replace him.

Ste Traverse
226 Posted 14/03/2017 at 23:01:15
Lineker always said he was happy here, but Kendall and the club decided to cash-in on him (with an undervalued bid, in my opinion).

I can't see how that is the same as this situation with Rom.

James Stewart
227 Posted 14/03/2017 at 23:01:47
I never thought I would see Moyes leave and then it happened. Same for Martinez.

Lukaku, on the other hand, we all know will leave. Despite his stats and record, I don't feel he has ever really taken Everton to his heart and the feeling is mutual from a lot of blues I know. Stats don't mean a damn thing; players like Tim Cahill will be folklore forever here, Lukaku will not.

Suarez had genuine love for the RS but I don't see any parallels with Lukaku. He is the quintessential modern Instragram generation footballer, only concerned with himself and his Fifa stats.

A lethal finisher but we can be stronger without him. It is all about securing the best deal for EFC. In a world where Higuain is £80m and Pogba £90m, then Lukaku can't leave for less at 23 years old with his peak still years away.

We are overly reliant on Lukaku for goals, so in my opinion, if we could bring in a Lacazette and Dembele for the Lukaku fee, I think we would actually be a stronger side. I just hope we have learned our mistakes and don't act in a way that embarrasses our great club anymore.

David Hamilton
228 Posted 14/03/2017 at 23:03:38
Frank @ 147

Teodorczyk looks terrific. And he scores goals wherever he goes.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%81ukasz_Teodorczyk

Andrew Clare
229 Posted 14/03/2017 at 23:05:04
Stick him in the reserves until he is sold.
Simon Bradley
230 Posted 14/03/2017 at 23:05:35
Sell him. Spend the cash (on about 5 players) and bring Niasse back (much better attitude). :)
Paul Conway
231 Posted 14/03/2017 at 23:05:40
The bare bones of it is, up until now, regarding producing goals, Lukaku has practically done it all on his own. Until recently aided by a rejuvenated Barkley and an almost phantom like Mirallas.

It's absolutely cringeworthy when considering up until a few months ago the alternatives to provide assistance were: Koné, Deulofeu, Valencia, before McGeady, and Niasse.

It's hard to believe we even deserve a player of Lukaku's stature when you see the dross we have been courting.

Keith Monaghan
232 Posted 14/03/2017 at 23:06:41
Some of the nasty comments directed at Rom on here are totally unjustified. I don't like the situation with contracts etc, but it's reality in the money-rich Premier League.

People bigging Rooney up so much need to remember that he couldn't desert us quick enough – how many games did he play and how many goals did he score for us? A lot lesss than Rom, from whom we've had a lot more service than from the now well over-the-top and rarely playing Rooney.

Brian Wilkinson
233 Posted 14/03/2017 at 23:09:03
If he goes, like Stones, I will not lose any sleep; the last time I was gutted a player moved on was Tim Cahill, even though it was the right time.
Ian Randles
234 Posted 14/03/2017 at 23:09:43
I haven't read through all the posts so I maybe going over the same points... but isn't all this contract talk just a game between us (Everton) and Lukaku's agent / Lukaku? In all the Sky reports, it says Lukaku has refused to sign the contract, to me it reads like he doesn't agree with the terms?

I for one feel that Rom wants to leave; he knows we will play hard ball so will listen to contract offers so he can increase his wages. The fact, if true, that we want £90 million for him is putting him off signing the deal; then we need to drop our expectations.

We need to see the greater picture and that is: if we fall out now with two years left, we either sell for a lower fee in the summer, say £50 million (as all parties will be playing hard ball except us as we have no control other than saying no) or Moshiri decides that he sees out his contract for the next few years, and we all know that won't happen. So, for me, the best deal all-round is to set a £75 milion price tag, sign him up, and hope for the best?

Worst case is we have paid an extra few months wages but return a massive profit in the summer and move on?

Or I'm just hoping that's the case and not that he really doesn't want to sign?? Whatever the contract terms, if that's the case, we will loose out either way and wishful thinking Moshiri will write him off and make him stay.

To us fans, 20 goals a season over the next two years will be worth the transfer fee if the board are willing to let it go and it gives us real progress, and (dare I dream) silverware...

Derek Knox
235 Posted 14/03/2017 at 23:09:46
Much as it saddens me to say it, but I do believe Rom wants to go, so let's get as much as we can possibly get for him!

Let's face it, the only loyalty that exists in football these days, is with the fans, we have the monopoly on that, and all we ask for, is a modicum of that from players in return. Alas, that is just a pipedream!

We go on week after week, saying yeah, give him £ XX,000 a week he's worth it? We are talking in most cases, of a player getting more than we get in a YEAR, per week!

Come on now lads! Let' s cash in on Rom, if he doesn't want to be a blue, fuck him!

We could demand a decent profit on him, and there are always players out there who could be good replacements at a quarter of the price.

Being the Devil's Advocate now, just suppose, that we stormed the rest of the season, (it is mathematically possible) and got into the Champions League spot, what would happen then?

Get Rooney, Sigurdsson and that Sotiriou, and Michael Keane, and we would still be well in profit, and goals!

Darren Bailey
236 Posted 14/03/2017 at 23:10:57
Not sure where to start...

Oh yeah, if you can't start respecting this club, the club that pays your wages, the club with the best fans in the world, the club that gave you the opportunity that a certain Jose wouldn't, then fuck right off!

I've totally had it with Rom. Okay, he scores goals & is our top scorer, but what else do you do, Rom, apart from slag us off & moan all the time? I honestly don't know how he sweats so much. Constantly jumps under the ball so an not to head it & can't actually control a football.

All this "Kane vs Lukaku – who's better?" debate... recently I've been voting Kane. Hands down! I'd have Kane over Lukaku every day of the week. And Kane respects his club, plays his heart out for them, and has never instigated any kind of move away. Integrity & respect Rom – part of what you lack big time.

I will miss the goals but I won't miss him.

And, to finish, I'd like Dolberg from Ajax as a replacement please. Rooney in as well & make sure Ross signs up. Barkley, Lookman & Dolberg – young & talented to build on.

Eddie Dunn
237 Posted 14/03/2017 at 23:11:46
Who knows which party involved are playing the press/fans here. The club could be trying to lay the blame on Lukaku's doorstep, or Rom's guys may be angling for the club to lower the buy-out clause to make a sale to a suitor more affordable. It is difficult to fathom what is going on behind the scenes.

Imagine if we were into the Cup semis or really in with a shot at 4th spot, this kind of nonsense would really undermine the team. Perhaps it is due to the likelihood that 7th is assured, at worst, that this is all bubbling away now.

It is a real shame that stuff like this can't be dealt with at the end of the season. We are nowhere near a transfer window (which is often a distraction). We are left to speculate once more. I know it's an old one, but like mushrooms, we are kept in the dark and fed shit.

Derek Knox
238 Posted 14/03/2017 at 23:18:40
Sorry, I forgot to mention in my previous post that I am more worried that there is mention of Idrissa Gana Gueye being a target for Chelsea, among others, which gets to me more than the stories of Lukaku!

That lad is a diamond, a really hard worker, provider, and should be the heart of our midfield, every game – if fit!

Oliver Molloy
239 Posted 14/03/2017 at 23:27:18
Moshiri can say what he wants, but the facts are that Lukaku wants Champions League football and, in my opinion, EFC unfortunately are some way off in this respect so it looks like Lukaku ain't for hanging about another year to see what happens.

I think there is a good chance he will link up with his buddy at Man Utd, with Rooney coming our way!

Paul Thompson
240 Posted 14/03/2017 at 23:28:23
This thread represents the collective flounce. So many childish comments, I wouldn't know where to start, but I did particularly like 'he has always treated the club with contempt'. Err, yes, other than the 19 goals scored so far this season and the others he's laid on.

So many negatives are being dug up, it reminds me of the 'what have the Romans done for us' scene in The Life of Brian.

If this report is true, Rom has more than repaid what we laid out for him and the £60-£70m we'll get will set us up nicely for reinvestment.

The lad is ambitious enough to want to play at the highest level. Nothing wrong with that. I'd like him to stay, but entirely understand why he would want to move on.

He doesn't love us? So what. he's a player with a short career not a fan with a lifelong commitment. Grow up, FFS.

John Malone
241 Posted 14/03/2017 at 23:41:03
Derek 238, sorry mate I can't have that!

I can't believe you have compared the importance of Gueye with our consistent talismanic goal machine of a striker Lukaku!

There is no comparison Gueye is good but he is not that good!

I'd say Schneiderlin is a better player than Gueye, even after a few games. Where as Lukaku has consistently scored goal's and is getting better year after year!!

Replacing a proven goalscorer is a much harder task than replacing a hardworking midfielder!

Derek Knox
242 Posted 14/03/2017 at 23:42:03
Eddie @237.

Whether it be football, politics, religion, world affairs, or whatever, us mushrooms, will always be fed scraps of shit, and be kept in the dark.

'Decisions' are always made for the 'greater good' I have experienced that so many times in my lifetime, approaching 70 soon, so I have experienced quite a bit, as a service man, (Royal Navy) later, officer, and Merchant Navy Officer too.

Very little changes Eddie, well, not in our lifespan!

Tony Hill
243 Posted 14/03/2017 at 23:52:26
This has the look of another PR car crash. Oh well, whatever happens I expect Lukaku to react strongly and to be revved up. That'll do to be going on with.
Jason Bowen
244 Posted 14/03/2017 at 23:57:31
Paul Thompson (#240), I take it your referring to my comment?

And he has always treated our club with contempt, not once in the 4 years he has been here has he even slightly made me feel he is happy being here, he is a self-centered prick who will jump ship at the first oppurtunity and I couldnt care less what moshiri or anyone else says or wants, the man is a cowboy that should now be removed from our club.

No amount of goals this cretin scores will make me happy about him being here, he is everything that is wrong with our game! Anyone that thinks otherwise or is willing to put up with this wanker just for the sake of a few goals is quite welcome to sod off with him.

In my opinion, him, his dad and his agent can fuck right off and take his shite first touch with him.

Colin Williams
245 Posted 14/03/2017 at 00:03:21
Rashford plus £60 mill and Man Utd can have the wanker!!!
Paul Smith
246 Posted 15/03/2017 at 00:06:57
I'm glad Farhad has come out and spoken so soon. It would never have happened with Bill in charge. As for Rom, he's a top goalscorer; the minute he suggests something other than signing a new contract with Everton, the media are all over it. Nothing to do with bad PR. He's always been a loose cannon.
Don Alexander
247 Posted 14/03/2017 at 00:09:04
Lukaku is not alone in being typical of the modern-day player who doesn't give a flying fuck about whatever club just happens to be making him a millionaire every season. And as for their fans, don't ask!

He is typical of why I'm increasingly disengaged from football and the club I've supported since I can't remember. He fucks them, and us, period.

Heart? It'd need a lengthy post-mortem to find his.

Eugene Ruane
248 Posted 14/03/2017 at 00:22:21
The TW cat gets his saucer of milk 5 mins late Link
Richard Reeves
249 Posted 15/03/2017 at 00:23:48
As has been said, let every club know he is available for £70 million. Another £30 million for Deulofeu, Cleverley and Niasse and that's a good transfer kitty for Koeman and Walsh... It could also be another £25 million for McCarthy, Besic and Lennon if Koeman wanted to sell (which he should).
Jakob Herd
251 Posted 15/03/2017 at 00:41:57
I didn't read many of the 248 comments that preceded me so apologies if I have repeated this observation.

It reminds me very much of the Bob Latchford saga that played out throughout most of Bob's most productive Goodison years. If my memory serves me correctly; Big Bob must have handed in three transfer requests in his time with us, and was finally granted his wish by HK upon his return to Goodison – who incidentally had been offloaded to Birmingham City to facilitate Bobs move to Everton.

Rom isn't handing in transfer requests, he is doing the modern version of it. Goodbye, Rom – thanks for the memories.

Trevor Lynes
252 Posted 15/03/2017 at 00:50:54
Just another positive stat in Lukaku's goal scoring feats this season. He has taken no penalties in his 19 league goals. Kane has scored four and missed one penalty in his 19 goals. Taking away the penalties, Lukaku is well clear of Kane.

Our left back has better penalty stats than Kane who has missed five and scored ten playing for Spurs who also create far more chances for Kane than our midfielders have created for Lukaku. Lukaku's accuracy is far superior to Kane's from far fewer chances.

I hope that Lukaku reads my comments and stays with us unlike Rooney and Stones. I would not entertain Rooney coming back after he has had his career at Man Utd. He is virtually finished IMO and not good enough to displace any of our first team. He would be taking up bench room at the expense of one of our youngsters.

Anthony Dwyer
253 Posted 15/03/2017 at 01:06:03
Anyone who wants Rom sold on the back of a recent contract disagreement is either plain foolish or doesn't understand that we can't get better.

Let's be honest, Rom is as close to being a world class player that either club on Merseyside has seen since Suarez, and we all seen how much angling he's done for moves, wage increases etc.

As far as I'm concerned I don't like all the shit that comes with Rom, but its basically part and parcel of footy. If we flog Rom who would we be able to get who is in his bracket, we had similar debates last season and more often than not names such as Bony, Slimani and Benteke were discussed, we can clearly see they aren't even near Rom's level.

IMO the only strikers in and around Rom's age and class group are unavailable to us.

Most footballers are mercenaries, that's the top and bottom of it. We as fans need to enjoy the better players we have before they move on.

Ian Linn
254 Posted 15/03/2017 at 01:15:26
If he leaves then he leaves, that's the way it goes. Funny though, I don't think I've seen him smile on the pitch for yonks, even when he bagged a hat-trick, which made me think ultimately he wants to be somewhere else.
Mark Wilson
255 Posted 14/03/2017 at 01:18:22
Regardless of the endless debates, sell him, keep him, send him to train on his own for two years etc etc, this "story" will destabilise the club unless the owner and manager make it clear what's happened, what the true situation is with the guy's contract. The fans are already divided, and it's not pretty and won't be on Saturday.

I'm not really sure what I'd do right now tbh but as we never seemed to have enough belief in ourselves to go for an achievable tho I accept unlikely fourth place finish, aka getting the January window right and not capitulating from the KO against Spurs etc, part of me thinks that several of our players may feel the same way as Rom.

It's a mess now whatever, even if it's all lies and bollocks. If we announced tomorrow he's signed a new contract then most will still see him as a money grabbing git, or chasing a Champions Leeague dream that may not quite be all it seems. Yes, we've been here before but this time does have a slightly different feel to it. He may be finished for many blues who remain of the mindset that if you shit on us once, let alone a lot, you can bugger off as we are Everton and we're bigger than you. Others, and I'm one of them, are so sick of this brinkmanship from all sides and yeh, it's football now, but we don't have to actually enjoy it, do we?

As for not being irreplaceable? Well, as one of currently only a tiny handful of players who can score 20-25 top class goals Season after season after season, we will soon see how replaceable he is. But yes, of course we will be glad to see the back of him cos he's lazy (total rubbish) and can't make goals for others (really?)

If we were really serious about our oft stated ambition we'd have spent decent money on a Gabbiadini and a Van Dyke type quality centre back and accepted being ripped off, a bit. We'd have added a decent left back as cover for Baines and we'd have taken a measured risk in a tough transfer window and well it's all about opinion but in my mind we'd not now be looking at "Lukaku leaving" speculation we'd be in a real fight for a surprisingly high finish.

I'm hoping I'm wrong about the ambition thing and I can see that the much needed investment in a really special new stadium may at last be about to happen. Please don't anyone tell us it's 99.999% certain. But you don't make a lot of progress building a squad with some outstanding players, then selling them and starting over, about once every two or three years.

It really is depressing all this but only as much as watching us constantly say we need more time, we aren't ready, we don't need to buy, the futures bright with the kids. I don't want more five-year plans. I want Lukaku scoring and making goals with a top class striker alongside him from August, and two new centre backs who can actually run and turn and win a ball in the air, and yes, an impressive Davies amazing us with the speed of his progress... and a revitalised Ross Barkley shutting us all up and showing what a class act he has in him.

I want too much, I know.

Gordon Crawford
256 Posted 15/03/2017 at 01:34:05
On another note, Mayor Joe says on his twitter "Our new stadium is beyond our imagination," " And that "it's happening." So hopefully this is true.
Peter Gorman
257 Posted 15/03/2017 at 01:36:40
Lovely striker is Romelu who, if the stories are true, can frankly go fuck himself.

I've been bored of his attitude for years now. By all means let him go when the money is right and a viable replacement is identified. When exactly that will be is the multi-million pound question.

Peter Gorman
258 Posted 15/03/2017 at 01:41:10
In any case, we have a ready made fox-in-the-box waiting in the wings, our kid Niasse.

Anyone? No? Good night.

Peter Gorman
259 Posted 15/03/2017 at 01:45:38
pps: If Marcus Bent can propel us to 4th, what are we worried about?

Sleep tight!

Jim Hardin
260 Posted 15/03/2017 at 02:03:22
Darren,

Your statements about Kane are correct possibly. However, what is Kane doing that Lukaku isn't? No, the answer is not padding his totals by taking all the penalties. It is, he is already playing in the CL/ Europa League. He wouldn't then have to leave to play in Europe right?

Plus, he was signed as the club's highest paid player. I am guessing Kane has a salary far and above others , including a journeyman midfielder, on his squad.

Tottenham are actually building a new stadium and have built a squad which still has yet to win anything, but is at least on track to do so. Plus, he probably enjoys a freedom from unwarranted (read idiotic) negativity.

Zack Yusof
261 Posted 15/03/2017 at 02:15:28
"Wow, so many completely idiotic posts, hilarious." – David Barks.

Nail. On head.

Paul McGee
262 Posted 15/03/2017 at 02:25:57
We now just need to look to the future. Get into Europe with the last 10 games, sell him for £80M plus and bring in replacements.

For some experience, I would take Dzeko before Rooney, perhaps both with the money we get, and a younger prospect. To get his goals, we are probably going to have to spread them around as gettig one striker in to score the same is going to be difficult. There is always Vardy as well.

Peter Barry
263 Posted 15/03/2017 at 04:01:40
We can't let this arrogant idiot keep jerking our chain like this... Sell him!
Craig Fletcher
264 Posted 15/03/2017 at 04:21:37
How much do all of us really know? Unless your last name is Lukaku (or Lukaku Snr) Moshiri, Koeman or Raiola, the answer is not much.

Don't fret, people. Either he will sign, or he won't and will be sold, or he will sign and yet will still be sold over this forthcoming summer. The more annoyed and hysterical you are, the more you are playing into the click-bait media's hands.

And to the posters on this thread posturing on Rom's reception at Goodison this weekend, for as long as he wears royal blue, I will cheer him and the other ten lads on the park, regardless of what is printed in the media (from in front of my TV at least!).

Gathering the boo-boys on Saturday will not help anyone, least of all Rom's contract situation. I for one am just happy that one of the finest young strikers in world football currently plays for us.

David Barks
265 Posted 15/03/2017 at 05:52:38
I find it absolutely hilarious how so many people, often times in the same sentence, will berate Lukaku for not respecting this club and it's supporters while turning to all the players from other clubs we should sign. So are those players who would be leaving their club, you know, that pays their wages and the fans who cheer them, they're somehow better than Lukaku?

It's just so absolutely childish and immature. Emotion is one thing, but not a good enough excuse for some of the ridiculous stuff being spouted on here. He's stayed with us for four years, with the previous two years being 11th placed finishes and this year only 7th, which is sadly being cheered as an accomplishment by some.

Sorry, his ambition is bigger than many supporters and many of those running the club. He's played his part. He's scored goals and improved his game every season. The nonsense of him not being able to control a ball and not doing anything other than score goals against weak opposition is shockingly ignorant.

I hope he stays another year. But how can anyone blame him wanting to play at a higher level when his talent warrants it, but the club doesn't match up? You want more, get out and demand it from the Board instead of having wet dreams about some new stadium, as if a stadium has ever won a fucking trophy.

Bob Parrington
266 Posted 15/03/2017 at 06:10:53
Eugene (#248). Hilarious! From where do you dig these up?
Bob Parrington
267 Posted 15/03/2017 at 06:15:27
I just hope the crowd gets behind the whole side against Hull because the team is more than the one man. Let's suck it up and back the Blues to a fantastic win!

Hopefully, getting our frustrations out of the system on TW will help.

Brian Porter
268 Posted 15/03/2017 at 06:21:28
Just goes to prove that Rom, as a man, can't hold a candle by comparison with the late, great Alex Young. Despite his goals, does anyone think he will still be revered by Everton fans 40 years after finishing his time with us?

No? I thought not.

Duncan McDine
269 Posted 15/03/2017 at 06:26:31
I can understand if Lukaku doesn't want to sign a contract that handcuffs him to Goodison for the next few years (with a £90m release clause). It will be in our interest to offer a contract that at least means we make a sizeable chunk when he is sold, rather than risk taking a nominal fee as his contract runs out.

I'm honestly surprised that we managed to keep him this long and I think he'll be very hard to replace. Having said that, we haven't come close to winning anything despite his impressive goal tally.

Chris James
270 Posted 15/03/2017 at 07:08:56
Totally unsurprised, this is all part of the agent's game.

Footballers are fickle these days; agent's are scum.

Colin Glassar
271 Posted 15/03/2017 at 07:33:08
I blame Ossie, fake news and the Russians for all this. Oh, and BFF Jim White.
Alexander Murphy
272 Posted 15/03/2017 at 07:45:43
He's a "hired hand". A good one admittedly, but hired nevertheless.

Point worth considering. Harry Kane ("son of Forsythe" as someone recently dubbed him) has done his ankle again. I reckon that Kane is headed down Sturridge Avenue to Weetabix Cottages. Big Rom has remained virtually injury free, so far. So if we cash in before he follows Brucie's Boy, then I'll bet as soon as he's holding a Champions League scarf over his head then the ACL, hammy or metatarsal will pop out.

Case in point, Yannick Bolasie.

As I said, he's a hired hand. Others are available.

Alexander Murphy
273 Posted 15/03/2017 at 07:51:15
Brian, in your post 268, You are quite correct. But never mind 40 years, I'd suggest 4 might be stretching things.

Mr Barkley, however???

Dermot Byrne
274 Posted 15/03/2017 at 07:52:39
What a fuss!
Bob Parrington
275 Posted 15/03/2017 at 08:01:24
Colin (#271), C'mon mate, they've all been Trumped!
Darren Hind
276 Posted 15/03/2017 at 08:08:45
No shame in that, Chris @175. We none of us have all the facts, so we believe what we want to believe.

Lyndon thinks it may well be one more attempt to get exactly the deal they are looking for. JD @209 agrees, adding that there appears to be a not very subtle "before its too late" message directed towards any would-be suitors. I tend to agree with both.

Whether we like it or not the Lukaku camp have played a blinder here. They will either get the move they want, or stay and get the deal they want.

The past two years has felt like being at an auction where the fucker with the hammer cant bring himself to close the bidding

"Are we all done now? ... Ennneeee mmorrre??? ... goingg ... goinggg.... goinggggg... I'm going to have to let it go..

Jim Bennings
277 Posted 15/03/2017 at 08:30:34
We should never have even been talking contracts etc with Lukaku or any player until the season had finished.

All it's done now is distracted the attention on whether one man will stay or not. We didn't need that ahead of a big few weeks.

Roger Helm
278 Posted 15/03/2017 at 08:31:45
Players and managers, even directors, they come and they all go eventually – for them it's a career, or a money-making opportunity. They are not the club; we are the club, so we can't blame them for not being fans.

Rom hasn't played the badge-kissing game, he has just been honest about wanting to get to the very top of the tree, which TBH he isn't going to do with us.

After four years, he has decided to move on, which seems fair enough. He has given us lots of goals, a huge cash profit when he does go, so thanks for that.

Liverpool lost Suarez, Spurs lost Bale and Man Utd lost Ronaldo so lets stop whining about Rom. The main thing is to spend the cash he brings us wisely.

Mike Green
279 Posted 15/03/2017 at 08:44:14
"He is our player", and for now that is the crucial point.

The club will (should) have a strategy on how to manage this, just as the players agent will. My guess is if he's not signed again within 12 months then we'll sell him to the highest bidder.

Dale Rose
280 Posted 15/03/2017 at 08:58:14
Gutted. The phrase "the grass is always greener" springs to mind. I think he is being very short-sighted here. He could commit to a further 12 months with us and then think again. I can see him as one of these players who just hops from club to club.
Ken Buckley
281 Posted 15/03/2017 at 09:11:22
I think I have sorted the whole sorry mess. I have arranged a meeting with both parties and the journos who claim insider knowledge. It is to be held in "The Room of Nonsense' and chaired by the members.

That should do it, so that, come Saturday, we will not know whether to laugh or cry – boo or jeer.... or maybe cheer.

UP THE BLUES

Mike Price
282 Posted 15/03/2017 at 09:15:54
By not signing, he's saving us about £70k a week. He'll get sold for the same amount, irrespective of signing the new contract anyway.
Mark Wilson
283 Posted 15/03/2017 at 09:18:49
Craig (#264)

"And to the posters on this thread posturing about his reception at Goodison this weekend". Really? You think expressing a concern about how the people who pay to watch us week in week out may react to Lukaku's approach is "posturing"? Your wrong Craig it's not that it's a reasonable reaction to a situation that isn't helping the club one little bit.

I get the argument about Rom's ambition. I have never "booed" a player putting on our shirt, ever. It's counter productive and I've honestly never seen it produce anything helpful in a match.

But there will possibly be some anger at Lukaku's approach. He is a regular at this game of sly and always mis-quoted comments, often made via his father. It is for each of us to decide whether we think it's okay for a still very well paid star player to constantly disrespect the club and its supporters with this endless stream of "I'm too good for you but hey look at me I'm doing you all a favour and staying at your little club whilst it suits me" crap.

Respect is I know an old-fashioned thing in this era where it's simply a financial game rather than about football. I and most supporters understand the reality. He will be sold, or see out his contract. He is a great player in my view and I cannot understand some of the stuff that's directed at him.

We may find ways to replace some of his goals, another quality No 9 or more likely, and much needed, two forwards. We may add more goals from midfield etc. But finding a forward capable of 20-25 goals every season, the odds aren't in our favour.

So, merely wondering how fans will see his not signing a huge contract honestly isn't about posturing – it really is about something quite different. We understand the reality, Craig, and yes, what will be, will be etc.

But along the way, why not keep the gob shut and don't play these childish games and at least quietly pretend to respect and appreciate the club and its supporters? Old-fashioned it may be but I just think there's value in the approach and we deserve at least that much from our players.

Dave Abrahams
284 Posted 15/03/2017 at 09:24:32
Mark (#283), I agree with your post, especially the part of respect; it may be considered old fashioned but it costs nothing and it is the right and decent position to take.
Sam Hoare
285 Posted 15/03/2017 at 09:49:45
As Mike says in #282, I don't actually think it would make a huge amount of difference. He will be off this Summer or at best next Summer irrelevant of a new contract unless we get Champions League next year which is still pretty unlikely in my eyes.

Perhaps a longer contract would give us more strength at the negotiating table but I'm not sure the difference in final price will be that large as it will likely come down to a bidding war anyway. Once a player truly has his heart set on a move, then it's usually best for all parties to facilitate it. I suspect Man Utd will want a striker this Summer and that £70-£80m will see Romelu re-unite with the man who once thought he wasn't good enough.

The bigger question will be how we spend that money and which strikers Walsh has earmarked to fill those rather large boots.

Stan Schofield
286 Posted 15/03/2017 at 09:54:45
Cutting through all the media reports and associated opinion and speculation, the fact is that Lukaku will be at Everton next season unless Everton decide otherwise. That's because he is contractually obliged to stay.

As to whether Everton decide he stays or goes, that is a business decision for Everton, and the club may consider the balance of risk involved. On the one hand, taking Lukaku to the end of the current contract carries a risk of losing tens of millions of pounds in potential transfer fee.

But on the other hand, the Board could decide this risk is worth carrying, on the basis of the benefits to Everton of retaining Lukaku up to that time, those benefits possibly exceeding that transfer fee.

Mike Allen
287 Posted 15/03/2017 at 09:56:25
Mark (#283),

Yes we may well miss his goals but come on – a great player? He is not and never will be (in my opinion). I don't wish the guy any ill and will support him while at Everton... whether he deserves it or not is another matter.

Will Mabon
288 Posted 15/03/2017 at 10:04:09
Stan, in the scenario of retaining him we'd have the question of whether Lukaku would want to limit his endeavours for the club on his present salary, or maximize his value by giving his all.

Oh, the permutations...

Stan Schofield
289 Posted 15/03/2017 at 10:09:44
Will, there will be all kinds of opinions on that. I'm just sticking to the facts.

It's Everton's decision pure and simple. Everton have 100% control in relation to the current contract. Regardless of who might wish to buy Lukaku, it's Everton's decision (and only Everton's) as to whether he stays.

Will Mabon
290 Posted 15/03/2017 at 10:27:11
You're right. We may get to see just what his market value really is.
Steve Brown
291 Posted 15/03/2017 at 10:29:53
The bigger news is the imminent stadium breakthrough!

Rom has been an excellent buy for us and has given us 4 years of service. My guess is that he has stalled on his new contract due to interest from a Champions League club who have told his agent they will go to £60 million tops.

Moshiri's responsibility is to maximise his value for the club so we cannot let him run down his contract. Sell him this summer for the valuation Everton place on him and start planning his replacement now.

Rom has it in his mind now he is better than Everton – he's not by the way – so this will only end in him leaving – whatever salary we offer him. So play him to the end of the season and sell.

Dermot Byrne
292 Posted 15/03/2017 at 10:31:23
Steve (#291): exactly. Comments from Peel are a much bigger story for the club than one player
Cliff Roberts
293 Posted 15/03/2017 at 10:32:52
Sell to Man Utd for £70mil plus Rooney.
Rob Halligan
294 Posted 15/03/2017 at 10:40:08
Gobsmacked!!!!

Ray Wilkins on Sky Sports News saying Lukaku should remain where he is until he's 26 or 27 years old, and then move.

Wilkins goes onto say "every player wants to play Champions League football, but obviously they can't. Lukaku should stay and learn under Koeman, where he would also be guaranteed a starting place, rather than sitting on the bench (possibly) elsewhere. By the time he's 26 / 27 he will be the complete centre forward and then move.

Wilkins goes onto say "Lukaku could well get his Champions League ambitions with Everton in the next couple of years"

I honestly thought Ray Wilkins would be pushing for Lukaku to move, and realise his Champions League ambitions. He also thinks he wouldn't get in the Chelsea side if Costa remains.

Stan Schofield
295 Posted 15/03/2017 at 10:52:39
Steve @291: Yes, but whether Everton decide that Lukaku stays is a big story in itself.

Rob @294: Who really gives a shit what another 'pundit' thinks or says? I'm sure the 'pundits' won't have much influence (if any) on Everton's decision on whether Lukaku stays here.

Dermot Byrne
296 Posted 15/03/2017 at 11:05:17
Are there players we could get that would score/assist as many and have a better all round team game? Probably, if we have a good scouting system and a load of cash. So is this end of the world ? Not at all.

So let's enjoy or not the fever the media get into and watch the story unfold. But, in the end, it is all about 11 players who get more points. The rest is just celebrity gossip and imaginary monopoly-like football fantasies.

Rob Halligan
297 Posted 15/03/2017 at 11:07:16
I agree, Stan. I just expected Wilkins to say Lukaku should move ASAP, rather than stay for a couple more years.
Tony Draper
298 Posted 15/03/2017 at 11:12:55
Ken Buckley 281.

Thank you.
Yes, "The Room of Nonsense".

My cap is fully doffed to you sir.

Gio Mero
299 Posted 15/03/2017 at 12:02:41
Let's get the names off the back of the shirts. Give them 1-11 like it used to be – no players today deserve their names on an Everton shirt if this is the smart-business game they like to play nowadays .

Scoring goals is your profession. Showing respect for your supporters is obviously optional.

Personally happy to reciprocate so off you go. Let's get a No 9 in.
Jim Knightley
300 Posted 15/03/2017 at 12:11:06
If the deal not going through is really about the release clause, then give him a fairer release clause. £90M is absurd- Pogba is not the market. £60-70M would be huge for him, and I doubt there was a fan on here who wouldn't have taken it last summer. If he moves this summer we won't get anymore than £60M anyway. It is funny watching a player who has been so unfairly criticised on here now being touted as one of the most expensive players in history.

Next – if some of you think strikers at all top clubs work hard, then you've not been watching much football. Is Ibra working hard? Costa does in spouts... but not for whole games. Have you seem Higauin, who went for an insane amount, play? Or Benzema? Or Aguero?

I think sometimes fans watch their own players too much and others too little, and invent peculiar ideas because of it. I'll also say that we will find it not hard, but impossible, to find a player who both scores and creates as much as Lukaku. He statistically sets up more chances than the vast amount of top strikers, and will again boost one of the top assist stats in the league. Our success in the near future is tied to him, and it will be a killer blow to see him go.

This is not like Stones – Lukaku is already one of the league's best strikers and still has the ability to improve (some foolishly claimed he couldn't improve a couple of seasons ago because of misguided notions of how a player improves – but he has and can improve further).

If or when he goes I think we will need to target a younger striker with huge potential and a reliable one. Man City have got a great young one sitting on their bench. I also wouldn't be adverse to us taking Defoe for one season, especially if Lukaku stays. He would be a perfect back up for one year.

Chris Gould
301 Posted 15/03/2017 at 12:22:27
There are 3 different headlines on the Sky Sports News app all about where Lukaku will go. Sick of it already and it's now only going to get worse.

Just when there was a nice positive vibe about the club, with everyone concentrating on catching the top 6, and now, once again, we're being viewed as a selling stepping-stone club.

Matt Butlin
302 Posted 15/03/2017 at 12:38:50
Peter #3 - "Carlton Pogba" .brilliant.
Kristian Boyce
303 Posted 15/03/2017 at 12:44:10
It's funny that the Lukaku contract 'bombshell' comes after we come within 2 points of breaking into the media's beloved 'Big 6'. With the amount of hype all the media outlets are giving it, it seems there's an agenda to disrupt our progress.

A couple of weeks back there was lots of positive stuff written about us when we were a safe distance from the group, but now we are right up there things have changed.

Stan Schofield
304 Posted 15/03/2017 at 12:50:40
Rob @297: Yes, I must admit, it is a surprise, but then not every pundit is always biased against us, I suppose.

Chris @301: Doesn't matter how many headlines there are, or how many clubs might want to sign Lukaku, he's going nowhere unless Everton decide he is. Even with offers over £70M, the Board could decide that keeping Lukaku for the full duration of the current contract is more valuable than the potential loss of a high transfer fee.

Comparing the situation with Man Utd and Pogba, Man Utd might already have recouped the large amount of money they paid for him, through the various spin-off benefits of having him.

Jimmy Hogg
305 Posted 15/03/2017 at 13:04:29
At the moment the team is set up for Rom to score. He won't find it as easy when other teams play in a different way and not to his strengths. We should sell now for as much as we can get.

This will put the responsibility on the team as a whole to spread the goal scoring around the whole team.

The bulk of Roms goals are against lesser teams. He will go at some time, let's sell now and move on.
Peter Jacobs
306 Posted 15/03/2017 at 13:14:34
I am not surprised by what any player does anymore. To be fairly honest I am more disappointed that we are unlikely to get the monies that you expect which is £80 million plus in my opinion.

I think to drop him wouldn't do us any favours when there is an outside chance of maybe getting 5th when he plays he scores and this may help with his transfer value although I doubt it.

The attention must turn to his replacement or replacements, that we can use the transfer funds to some good use and strengthen the squad a further right back, centre back, left midfield and centre forwards are where the team requires strengthening.

Jim Burns
307 Posted 15/03/2017 at 13:16:34
Chris@301 – you could take that view regarding a stepping stone club – or you could view it alongside other potentially 'traumatic' departures for clubs: Man Utd – Stamm; Ronaldo; Rooney (almost); Spurs – Bale; Arsenal – Sanchez (potentially); Liverpool – Suarez; Sterling. I'm sure we can think of others.

Maybe this is how it is now, if we are a top club, rather than a stepping-stone club. My point being, that even the so called top 4 or 5 have faced the same problem – some individual player/ego will always see a bigger payday or more chance of success – depending how cynical you are.

We will get over this easier than we think – as long as the money is put to good use.

He's been playing us publicly (as well as playing for us) for some time now – he is unfortunately a modern phenomenon – and he certainly wont be the last.

Let's squeeze every ounce of value out of him for as long as we have him – both on the pitch and at the negotiating table.

Jim Burns
308 Posted 15/03/2017 at 13:21:12
Rob @294, no love lost between Crabby Wilko and Chelski – since he was deemed surplus to requirements. He still harbours resentment over the way he was treated, and could be taking the opportunity of sticking a long fingernail back in them publicly.
Craig Walker
309 Posted 15/03/2017 at 13:27:38
Has anything that Jim White has alluded to actually come to fruition yet? I've got a new Cockney rhyming phrase "he's talking Jim White".

I don't know about dropping Lukaku. I'd be saying to him "Go to Anfield and show us how good you think you are because you've never come close to doing that yet, Rom". Jermaine Beckford contributed more to the Everton cause in games over the park than Lukaku has ever managed.

Stan Schofield
310 Posted 15/03/2017 at 13:39:59
Jim@300: I am a fan; who on here who wouldn't have taken £60 - 70 M last summer. I said at the time, when Chelsea were supposedly interested, to tell them 'not for sale', or (equivalently) set a price that nobody is likely to pay. That's what you can do when you're no longer a selling club.

I find some of the stuff on here, of the 'get rid of him, just take the money, find a replacement', both comical and representative of a 'small club' mentality.

Barry Jones
311 Posted 15/03/2017 at 13:58:43
Koeman will never sign Sturridge for the same reason Klopp doesn't play him. He doesn't work hard enough.
Peter Morris
312 Posted 15/03/2017 at 14:01:58
My plea to supporters on Saturday is "please don't boo Lukaku". Show we are bigger than that, and bigger than him. We should be wanting to scream him on to another 10 goals over the rest of the season. That way, if he is determined to move, the price will only escalate.

Think about that....

Gordon Crawford
313 Posted 15/03/2017 at 14:07:29
Just awful timing this whole fiasco. When Rom was interviewed by Sky a few weeks back he said that "His agent does all the negotiating and he just wants to play football." What a load of crap. We are two points of 6th position and looking to finish the season strongly. I really hope this doesn't affect team morale.

He would need to work harder than anyone after what he has said. Or the fans will eat him alive. We all know he is not an Evertonian and that's fine. But time after time he has disrespected the club with his interviews while away on international duty. He should have said nothing until the summer.

How I long for a Tim Cahill type character. That guy would run through walls for Everton. And he had more balls in derbies.

Gordon Crawford
314 Posted 15/03/2017 at 14:16:24
Peter, he won't get my boos or my cheers. But Everton will get my full support always.

He is so privileged to play for our wonderful club and it makes me sick that it's just a stepping stone to something better in his eyes. I would love just to play one game for Everton, it would mean the world to me. But sadly that will never be the case.

Sickened by the whole thing.

Julian Exshaw
315 Posted 15/03/2017 at 14:19:09
Has he actually come out and said anything yet? For now, it's all paper talk.

Dropping him on Saturday would be ludicrous. He is still our player and a professional football. So go out, do your best, score a couple of goals and on we go...

Terence Leong
316 Posted 15/03/2017 at 14:20:12
This may actually turn out for the better. Because it takes away the mystique of whether he will sign or not. That will give the media a significant smaller chunk of what to speculate about. Now that the fans know that he won't want to stay, I rather we look forward and cheer him on.

Because we need him to score goals for the club to keep climbing up the table, and we need to keep his valuation high.

Despite his goalscoring exploits, he won't be fully endeared to the club, but let's not ignore that we have had the benefit of his goals, and watching him play. When you look back, Lineker wasn't endeared to the fans, but when we stay objective, we appreciate his goals. Likewise for Tony Cottee. Wasn't endeared, but he scored his fair share of goals.

It's modern football, we get players in, and they want to move on. We get what we can from them and we move on.

Brian Furey
317 Posted 15/03/2017 at 14:22:37
I think from the first day he came to Everton, we always knew he was never gonna want to stay too long. We thought it was a major coup to get him on loan but then it was amazing that we came up with the money to sign him.

Even then many said it was far too much money but others knew it would always be a great investment and he would always be moving on to a big club, which sadly we are not at the moment. Maybe we will be again in a few years.

Look at Man City and more recently Spurs. Spurs had to let Bale go and then they rebuilt the team and now stadium. As they showed this year, it's one thing getting into the Champions League but it's a lot harder to do well there.

I think a lot of fan's anger is because it's been so long since we've had players that are in such high demand. Stones and Rom were great signings for us but they were always gonna move on to bigger things.

Compare it to Sanchez or Ozil at Arsenal now. They probably like living in London getting huge wages but they know they should move if they want to win titles. It's not like they are local lads.

Colin Malone
318 Posted 15/03/2017 at 14:28:28
I can see it now: Bramley-Moore Dock gets the go ahead and Rom signs, before the Hull game.

Cash in and get Bony from Stoke. "He cannot get a game," I hear you say. Anyone under 6ft-6in won't get a game for Stoke. Bony would suit our style of play.

Get it into your heads – Rom ain't interested in playing for Everton.

John Voigt
319 Posted 15/03/2017 at 14:40:33
Everton made the mistake of trying to negotiate a new contract while the season is still underway. This could have waited until the end of the season since Rom still has 2 years to go on his current contract.

The current situation was completely avoidable and it's those folks within Everton FC that negotiate contracts that really should be held to blame for this situation and not Lukaku and his agent. My opinion is Everton FC negotiating now just allowed Rom's agent the possibility of making extra fees from a contract now and another contract this summer. Hey, It's what agents do!!!

Rom and his agent are just playing up the negotiations in a manner that suits their interest the most. What his agent wants and what Everton FC want are two different things. Heck, there really is a huge difference between a contract being 99.9999999% complete and one that's signed.

Rom's agent would love to sign a contract now if it lines his pockets with cash and allows him the possibility of signing another contract with a Champions League club this summer which would line his pockets again (within a short time span). This might not happen if the release clause is set to high (so it's easy to see why the release clause number is a major stumbling block for a current deal).

My opinion is Everton are getting worked over by an agent who knows exactly what he's doing.

As far as where Lukaku winds up I ,figure it will be a Premier League Club. Rom has proven he can score in the EPL and there are deep pocket teams who can afford the asking price. For Everton FC, the amount of money that will be generated by selling Rom should be higher if he's sold to a Premier League Club.

I believe that Rom counts as a homegrown player and not a foreign player and a team like Manchester City might get interested since they are short on homegrown players. I'm not sure how many homegrown players Chelsea have on their current roster but my point is Rom's value to the EPL teams that might offer Champions League football is greater than teams outside the EPL. (Homegrown players do go for a premium and John Stones was a perfect example of this.)

I'd just like to see Everton FC get the best deal possible since it appears this is the final season Rom will play for Everton. If he wants to go and his contract is down to 2 years, it's time to sell and selling to an EPL club, where Rom counts as a homegrown player, would most likely bring in the highest fee.

Finally, I don't blame Lukaku. He's made it known about his Champions League aspirations in the past and his first touch has gotten enough better to have Champions League Teams interested now where as they were on the fence or not ready to sign Rom in the past. I do think he's ready now and will continue to improve as a player.

He's gotten better each year he's been in the EPL and now, if one of the big money clubs wants to fairly negotiate with Everton FC, then Rom's gone. I just hope that Everton FC invest the money wisely on new players.

Everton are at this point in time a selling club when the big boys come knocking. There's no way Everton can match Champions League Football along with the higher wage scale clubs like Chelsea and Manchester United offer.

It's also fair to note that the time players like Lukaku are considered in their prime is a pretty short time frame. I can't blame Lukaku or his agent from trying to do everything in their power to get what they want and you have to ask yourself if Everton FC is the place where Lukaku can maximize his potential (now and in the future)?

William Cartwright
320 Posted 15/03/2017 at 14:50:47
Not a pleasant read read, John; 100% correct.
Paul Burns
321 Posted 15/03/2017 at 15:05:46
Fuck him off immediately for as much as we can get, the man's almost as embarrassing as his agent's relationship with Billy Bullshit.

His scoring record is a smokescreen, they're usually the last goal in a game already won, a meaningless consolation or a shedfull against a shit team.

We could also do with barring anyone with redshite connections from all club premises like they've done with the Sun, lying, cheating lowlifes.
Vincent Ruane
322 Posted 15/03/2017 at 15:18:59
Do not play him anymore, make him train with the 12-year-olds, employ more local talent (it is out there), and, importantly, never hire a player with a money-grabbing agent. That is it.
Oliver Molloy
323 Posted 15/03/2017 at 15:24:37
John,

If Lukaku signed a new contract with Everton I wouldn't think he would move for at least another season, that would be a stipulation you would think. And lessons are now being learned in the world of sport especially in football. Agents are now paid on a season basis (the length of the contract his player is at the club).

This is now how clubs are protecting themselves with agent fee's apparently. Instead of getting their fee / cut whatever you want to call it when the deal is done, clubs are now paying agents over the period the player stays at the club.

Overall, the agent would make more money from player's contracts but they are paid on a yearly basis. I was told that by guy who works for Nike.

Steve Ferns
324 Posted 15/03/2017 at 15:26:04
If we sell him immediately for as much as we can get then he's still not leaving until the summer.

If we did slap a for sale sign on him, then the value goes down. We need teams prising him out of our grasp.

So it's best to make every noise that we're going to keep him. This means waiting on a replacement until after he leaves. Or maybe do a Liverpool and say to Chelsea, we will take £50m and Dembele off Celtic and Chelsea have to sign him and cover all costs for us, we just pick up the wages.

Anthony Hughes
325 Posted 15/03/2017 at 15:31:46
I don't blame Lukaku for wanting to better himself and wanting to play Champions League football. He wants it now and possibly is a little underwhelmed that our activity in the last two transfer windows wasn't smelling of signing good enough players quick enough to help both him and the club to realistically challenge for the top 4 over the next season or two.

Whether he goes or stays this summer I think Moshiri and the powers that be at Everton need some serious activity in the next transfer window to make a statement to any present players or possible future signings that we're serious about challenging the top 4. No piss-arsing around with aged centre-halves and middling defensive midfielders; if we have to pay over the odds, then let's get this project moving on.

Bill Gall
326 Posted 15/03/2017 at 15:32:39
It is one thing getting into the Champions League, but it is a limited amount of clubs that win it. If Lukaku's ambition is just to play in the Championship League, than there about maybe 8 teams that can afford him; if he wants to play for a team who have a realistic chance of winning it, that cuts it down to 4/5 teams.

I don't think he will go to another premier league team as even though we are supposed to have one of the toughest leagues in the world, our top teams do not seem as strong as the top teams in the Spanish, German and the Italian leagues.

We all hoped he would stay at Everton, but all players to be successful have to have ambitions, and unless Everton are able to match his ambitions, he will leave. He is not the first player to leave in the belief that his chances of more silverware are with another team, and he will not be the last. So it's up to the Owner and Board of Everton to show with decisive actions what there ambitions are, as although we have got a couple of good players in during the transfer windows, I think we could have done better to have proved it.

Remember even if we get a large transfer fee for him it will not mean that it will be easy to get in another top goalscorer as these so called top teams, as well as Lukaku, will be looking at any top goalscorer.

Peter Morris
327 Posted 15/03/2017 at 15:35:56
John (#319),

A good piece, and I agree with you on the whole, the only exception being your defence of Lukaku and his agent's behaviour, which I think is bordering on lying.

Anyway, off agenda, I see by the language you use that you are across the pond? Talking about lying, what do you think of that wanker Trump?

I saw you in that 'Fantastic Beasts' movie, and although it could only be described as a 'bit-part', I thought you looked brilliant at St George's Hall. Killed you off too soon if you ask me. A true Hollywood legend, you are. Did you take in a match whilst you were over filming, or was it 'off season'?

And another thing. That daughter of yours is a bit of a looker isn't she? I wish she hadn't covered herself in all that ink – terrible mistake. Anyway, John, tell her I was asking after her will ya?

ps: Any chance of getting our Tony a part as a villain in your next blockbuster?

Stan Schofield
328 Posted 15/03/2017 at 15:42:26
So, the media have got Barkley off to Spurs, Gana off to can't remember where, and Lukaku off to a big club with circa £70M to spend.

Now, Lukaku's current contract ends in July 2019, which means here's with us for at least two more seasons after this one. That takes us to the end of the 3-year initial 'project' phase relevant to Koeman's current contract.

If Everton decide that Lukaku stays for two more seasons, then he stays, it's as simple as that.

Despite all that contractual fact, plus the fact that Lukaku has hardly spoken a word on the topic, we've got Evertonians wanting to get rid of our highest scoring goal machine, on the basis of press reports and soap-opera gossip from 'pundits'.

No wonder the press gets away with what it does. They're allowed to by gullibility and gossip-mongering. At this rate, some Evertonians will be wanting to get rid of all our best players, on the basis of pure media manipulation and gossip.

For some people, welcome to our new era, same as our old era.

John Voigt
329 Posted 15/03/2017 at 15:49:52
Oliver,

I don't have anything to refute what you're saying.

That said, it doesn't make sense to me why Lukaku is so close to signing a new Everton contract (and for 5 years!!! and for £100,000 a week).

I still do think Lukaku's agent is up to something if this deal does get signed. There's got to be more incentive from the Lukaku/His agent side of this in order to get this contract signed in the near term.

What is it that's got Lukaku's agent even listening to an Everton FC offer before the season is over? It can't be £100,000 a week which is maybe half of what Lukaku might get at Manchester United. It can't be Champions League football which Chelsea can offer.

Call me a sceptic, but I don't see this 5-year deal between Lukaku and Everton FC getting done before the season is out and the only way it does happen is if there aren't any big money clubs willing to pay Everton what they figure is fair market value for Lukaku based on the number of years left in his current contract. (I personally think there are Champions League suitors waiting for the summer to try and sign Lukaku.)

It seems to me the person in the driver's seat driving the bus is Lukaku's agent. I can't see 5 years with Everton FC at £100,000 a week getting Lukaku's agent's attention (regardless of the release clause) unless there are extra benefits (like cash) heading the agents way.

Richard Reeves
330 Posted 15/03/2017 at 16:07:33
I should have said 'if' he doesn't sign a new contract put him up for sale for £70 million. I assume most of the people who say something similar also base it on the outcome of him not signing a new contract.
Brent Stephens
331 Posted 15/03/2017 at 16:20:59
Stan (#328),

"No wonder the press gets away with what it does. They're allowed to by gullibility and gossip-mongering".

Amen to that, Stanley.

Mike Allen
332 Posted 15/03/2017 at 17:01:02
Smart business all round by Lukaku's team – break news about new contract, even highlight buy out clause, talks break down, clubs daft enough to pay top dollar start bidding.

Lukaku has not asked for a transfer, gets what he wants and may well seek loyalty bonus for not breaking contract.
Will Mabon
333 Posted 15/03/2017 at 17:53:36
It's funny that the Lukaku contract 'bombshell' comes after we come within 2 points of breaking into the media's beloved 'Big 6'. With the amount of hype all the media outlets are giving it, it seems there's an agenda to disrupt our progress.


There may come a time when people realize things are not always what they seem.

Robin Cannon
334 Posted 15/03/2017 at 17:58:53
@Will - Grab that tin foil hat.
Craig Fletcher
335 Posted 15/03/2017 at 18:04:58
Here's a question for the folk who say that Lukaku not signing the contract under his nose is disrespecting our club.

If he did sign this week, was paraded in front of the media at a press conference with all the usual sound bites about being glad his future is sorted so he can concentrate on his football etc. etc., AND THEN was sold this summer regardless, would that not show a much greater level of disrespect?

Dermot Byrne
336 Posted 15/03/2017 at 18:05:08
Stan #328 I posted similar earlier. The press has no influence without us. As consumers of the rumours we encourage them. We are not innocent victims.

Just one thought. Could it be possible that Koeman thinks we can score more as a team with a different type of striker?

Also, if his sale was a part of finance ensuring we get a new stadium on the waterfront, would you agree to that strateg? I am not asking whether we should be in that position, just, if we are, what would you do?

Darren Hind
337 Posted 15/03/2017 at 18:08:01
Why will it be a killer blow if he leaves?

We will no doubt finish 7th this year. If Lukaku goes, we will still have a much better squad than 13 or 14 other teams

A semi-decent manager will get us to 7th with or without Lukaku. Who`s to say we won't do better if we buy a couple of creative footballers and played with a bit more adventure?

Lukaku is going through a purple patch, but he still only averages around 15 Prem goals a season. It's absurd to claim those goals can't be replaced with a different approach to the game.

.

Colin Malone
338 Posted 15/03/2017 at 18:13:24
Never mind all the ifs and buts, let him go and carry out his unfinished business (his word's). I would rather see Calvert-Lewin, Kieran Dowell, Sambou, Duffus. Henen, given a chance over the coming months.

This Lukaku soap opera has gone on too long.
Dermot Byrne
339 Posted 15/03/2017 at 18:15:45
That is my gut feeling too, Darren (#337).
Ste Traverse
340 Posted 15/03/2017 at 18:17:27
Embarrassing post, Paul Burns (#321). Talk about hysterical.

Almost as cringeworthy as those saying drop Lukaku and the answer is to play Calvert-Lewin instead.

David Barks
341 Posted 15/03/2017 at 18:22:43
Sorry Darren,

What exactly has been holding us up from bringing in those needed top quality creative players up to this point? It hasn't been the finance, we've had the money but spent it mostly on defensive midfielders. It's not exactly that easy to just sign up two quality creative players, especially with no forward up top.

Also, his goal tally is going up every year. To say he only averages 15 because it includes his late teens and early 20s is disingenuous and I have to believe you'd agree. It's not his average that counts, it's what he is at the present day. Just as an average doesn't matter when looking at a footballer who is over the hill. What matters is where they are now and what projection they are on. Lukaku is clearly only getting better and is years away from his prime.

It would be a blow to lose him, attacking players of his capability do not grow on trees. Just look at the strikers we've had in the past 30 years and their goal returns and you'll see how difficult it is. I'm sure the same line could have been said about Arteta when he left, we'll get someone else in. We still haven't replaced him in the centre of the park.

Tony Rio
342 Posted 15/03/2017 at 18:25:41
Moshiri is no numptie when it comes to business dealings. The opposite; he is one of the best negotiators in the world of business. His record is frightening.

The "don't worry" comment is the first salvo to slap Rom and his agent back in their place; the "I'm cool about it and we are in charge" is a clear message to the player, his agent and more importantly any club out there who thinks we'll be a walk over. I am sure Rom has had a definitive offer otherwise he would have sat tight and said nothing.

They'll have to show their hand at some point and I wouldn't be surprised if Everton reaction to the club who have tapped him up will be; "we'll sell him to Accrington Stanley before you, you've just ruled yourself out of the market". That will be one he'll of a message to send out to other clubs.

Does anyone believe for one minute Lukaku will sit in the reserves for 18 months to force the deal through? No chance, he's too interested in his own football development. Thankfully, we can now afford to take this calculated risk.

Bill couldn't do that with the likes of Rooney as the risk of losing any part of a transfer fee was too great. And I understand and agree with bill's approach. We are in a different place now and can afford a calculated risk strategy.

Will Mabon
343 Posted 15/03/2017 at 18:26:15
"If he did sign this week, was paraded in front of the media at a press conference with all the usual sound bites about being glad his future is sorted so he can concentrate on his football etc. etc., and then was sold this summer regardless, would that not show a much greater level of disrespect?"


That would imply he's already decided he's off come summer. If that were the case, wouldn't letting his agent come out with the 99.999% thing be even more disrespectful or misleading?

We'll never get to know the real details anyway.

Will Mabon
344 Posted 15/03/2017 at 18:28:26
"@Will - Grab that tin foil hat."

Five minutes flat.

Kristian Boyce
345 Posted 15/03/2017 at 18:38:07
The Express has the most ridiculous article yet about Lukaku:

Spotted: Romelu Lukaku miserable with Everton badge amid Chelsea transfer rumours

Dermot Byrne
346 Posted 15/03/2017 at 18:42:11
Having read 344 posts (including my own), I don't really care anymore. What will be, will be, re this example of the self-serving gits who populate the game now. In the end, what we say individually or collectively means sod all. All we are are backing singers (and donors) to this drama played out by absurdly wealthy gits.

Sometimes the bigger picture emerges and, to be honest, it is not pretty.

Trevor Peers
347 Posted 15/03/2017 at 18:49:34
I'm seriously doubting if any of the top English clubs will come in for Lukaku; apparently Chelsea don't need him, they already have a better striker in Costa. Mouhrino doesn't fancy him having already sold him, it could be he'll have no option but to sign for the blues.

The £70 to £80 million price tag will put most of Europe's elite right off, because he still has a problem controlling the ball. It could be a long drawn out saga, but then that's nothing new at Everton. By the time he leaves, he could be well past his best, I hope.

Will Mabon
348 Posted 15/03/2017 at 18:53:50
Dermot - Grab that tin foil hat.
Paul Conway
349 Posted 15/03/2017 at 19:01:56
Darren Hind @ 337.

I have read a lot of your posts and found quite a lot of the controversial, but this latest prompts me to comment, for a number or reasons.

A. there is a long way to go yet to seal 7th place. Looks like you have sold the bearskin on that, without having shot the bear!

B. Subtract Lukaku's goals from our goals scored and then see where we would sit in the table, vis-à-vis the 13 or 14 teams.

C. Any striker who scores 15 goals or more per season, is considered to be prolific, such is Lukaku.

D. A semi-decent manager will get us to 7th without Lukaku!!!!! Yeah right, there is an embarrassment of talent in our strike force!

Stan Schofield
350 Posted 15/03/2017 at 19:03:02
Dermot, I admire your stamina. If I'd read 344 posts, I imagine I'd also be beyond caring.
Darren Hind
351 Posted 15/03/2017 at 19:10:06
What a daft thing to say, (David @341),

How do you know he will get better?

Lukaku has been exceptionally lucky with his health. Do you have any idea what a couple of injuries can do to a player? Look at Vaughanny and big Vic. Neither got anywhere near the level we expected.

If you want to examples of players of Lukaku's class and better, look no further than Michael Owen or Robbie Fowler, both finished through injury and burn-out after been touted as guaranteed goal machines for at least another five years.

My average was not disingenuous, it was an accurate average of what he has scored in three seasons with us. And I will take it over your crystal ball conjecture all day long.

We have not had top class strikers in the past because we simply couldn't afford them; now we can. We have sold better players than Lukaku, David, and yet we are still here.

And another thing: Just because the manager seems hell bent on signing defensive midfield players, it doesn't meant the creative ones are not out there.

Will Mabon
352 Posted 15/03/2017 at 19:11:49
Come on, Stan, admit it; you've read them all. I have too!

We have to keep going, next target is 400 posts.

Dermot Byrne
353 Posted 15/03/2017 at 19:13:28
I am now rocking back and forth in a locked ward, Stan.
Colin Glassar
354 Posted 15/03/2017 at 19:18:03
1000 posts Will?
Lev Vellene
355 Posted 15/03/2017 at 19:18:56
Trevor (#347) I'm not holding my breath either way! I can see why they'll want him, as he's top of the most-goals list no matter what we say...

But as you say, most of the teams currently above us have their own top players. So if Rom goes to his childhood (wow, that must make me old!!) darling of Chelsea, can he expect to play and get their current top scorer sidelined???

David Hallwood
356 Posted 15/03/2017 at 19:19:41
From what we're now hearing, that the talks have stalled because of the buy-out clause, and I said on another post, I don't blame the Lukaku team for rejecting it, but the offer is still on the table and isn't dead in the water.
Stan Schofield
357 Posted 15/03/2017 at 19:19:56
Will, okay, you've sussed me out, I did read them all. In fact, I read them twice, because I couldn't believe half of them.
Will Mabon
358 Posted 15/03/2017 at 19:26:35
Colin, would say 1,000 is impossible, but now David Hallwood goes and posts that teaser - "Still on the table". Off we go again.

Stan - a-ha

Jon Cox
359 Posted 15/03/2017 at 19:44:43
Do a deal with Man Utd with Rashford thrown in. He's not happy at the moment cos he's being pushed wide. Use the rest of the money and try to grab Benteke and have both of them up front.

Three at the back plus wingbacks. Then may put the cart among the Sky 6.

Just a thought.

Mark Morrissey
360 Posted 15/03/2017 at 19:57:22
Fazakerley, Jon Cox... plenty more fish in the sea. Sell the big galoot and watch him struggle with his ego when he realises he ain't the big fish anymore. Good riddance to an odourous galoot.
Mike Dolan
362 Posted 15/03/2017 at 19:59:19
I think he will sign for us with a release clause closer to his value which I would guess at being –70M. He is a really great scorer.

Him leaving just a couple of years ago would have been devastating – not so much now though. We might not be world class on the pitch quite yet but we are now world class in our boardroom so if Lukaku moves we have lots of time (and money) to make other arrangements. We don't have to run to the bank, like with the Arteta money, to cover the meat pie bill anymore.

Whichever way it turns out we will be a lot better team next season than we are this season. Everton are on track to succeed precisely because Everton now are bigger than any one player. Best wishes to Lukaku, either with us or wherever he ends up. I kind of think though he will never be happier than the couple of years he has spent playing every game, banging in goals and threatening to leave us.

Dermot Byrne
364 Posted 15/03/2017 at 20:11:33
Best comment on whole thread, Mark: "odourous galoot". Love it. But we must respect his ambition... mustn't we? After all, it seems everyone would do the same.

We are all disloyal, self-serving bastards who could not dream of sticking with a place that helped you become better and contribute to making them better.

Jesus, nearly stumbled into a world of human standards and decency then. How fucking naïve I still am in my mid 50s... Anyway, all Thatcher's fault.

Davie Turner
365 Posted 15/03/2017 at 20:16:35
If Rom had said "I am going to stay to the end of my current contract then look for Champions League football" – would that be loyalty? The only reason players get so many new contracts these days is to guarantee transfer value; it has feck all to do with loyalty.
Jon Cox
366 Posted 15/03/2017 at 20:21:03
Mark,

"back of the net" so to speak, as it were, to coin a phrase!

Guy Hastings
367 Posted 15/03/2017 at 20:28:36
Chelsea buy him for £75mill, Costa stays, Conte offers him out on loan to WBA. Kevin Mirallas can't be arsed to phone him.
Daniel A Johnson
368 Posted 15/03/2017 at 20:29:51
To be fair, Lukaku has given us 4 seasons... why should he give us another 4?
Dean Adams
369 Posted 15/03/2017 at 20:33:42
If Lukaku cannot see any progress within the club that will lead to us being top 4, then he probably isn't as good as he thinks. Complete lack of peripheral vision being shown by him, his timing is woeful.
John G Davies
370 Posted 15/03/2017 at 20:37:26
We as fans were there decades before Lukaku; we will be there – as long as we are capable of walking into the ground – after he has gone.

Don't worry about it; he goes, he goes.

Charlie Lloyd
371 Posted 15/03/2017 at 20:38:31
John @ 359.

Use the money to sign Benteke!

No chance.

The Belgium boss labelled him alongside Lukaku as lampposts. Must say I couldn't wholly disagree. But whereas Lukaku, under Koeman, has realised you need to run around as well, Benteke has always been a static striker. Even Koeman may have his work cut out there.

I doubt Koeman would see him as a replacement anyway.

Tony Draper
372 Posted 15/03/2017 at 20:41:04
Daniel @ 368.

Because, We are Everton.

If you find that difficult, awkward or offensive then I seriously pity your view of the very, very fine football club that "Alexander The Great, The Golden Vision" held in such high esteem.

Dermot Byrne
373 Posted 15/03/2017 at 20:41:40
Have we given him anything, Daniel?
Andy Crooks
374 Posted 15/03/2017 at 20:43:07
I admire Lukaku and would like him to stay. However, I would like him to stay and improve. That seems unlikely now, including the "improve" bit. Therefore I am happy to look at the upside of him going:

We can buy and improve.
We can look to add another dimension to our game.
We can get rid of a hired hand who is unhappy.

It looks good all round to me.

Graham Mockford
375 Posted 15/03/2017 at 21:04:27
If he goes, we are losing a very good player, one who has improved and now looks like he could end up a world-class centre-forward.

I'd rather he didn't go but the club will survive, especially if the money is invested wisely.

Let me say this once only: Darren Hind is right.

Mike T Jones
376 Posted 15/03/2017 at 21:04:54
Davie Turner @365 hits the nail on the head. Every player has a value whilst in contract. At the end of contract, they are free agents and can move for free.

Every player and club can exercise the right to run the contract down – it usually happens when approaching a career end. Until then, there is a value judgement made by either party during negotiations.

The long term player who bleeds your club colour until his last playing day and beyond has gone, with notable exceptions. It doesn't stop some players finding a place in Everton's heart, and vice versa, even with club movement in-between. There are numerous examples...
Douglas McClenaghan
377 Posted 15/03/2017 at 21:19:24
Err... which clubs has he seriously been linked to?
Colin Glassar
378 Posted 15/03/2017 at 21:38:04
Fantastic win for Monaco. No big names or egos. You can win with kids!
Mark Morrissey
379 Posted 15/03/2017 at 21:39:35
I'm beginning to dread this Saturday coming.

Lukaku hears a distant solitary boo drifting across the Gwladys Street faithful and begins to sulk. The first pass from Ross doesn't quite land within a square inch of his boot and it passes him by. He stutters to a standing stop, feet drawn together and he raises his hands to his face in disbelief and gives us one of his only two expressions.

It's not the one at the top of this thread. It's the mardy arsed one where he looks like he's lost a tenner and found ten bob. A guff of boos start to fart around the ground and he decides there and then to give up the ghost for the day.

Meanwhile, at the other end of the pitch a certain player who doesn't have a locker at the club bangs in a worldy. Someone tell me he's not allowed to play against us?

Bill Gall
380 Posted 15/03/2017 at 21:45:53
As I said on a previous comment: "although the premier league is one of the strongest leagues in Europe, our top teams are not as strong as the top teams in other European leagues."

Plus, wasn't there talk that, due to the poor showing by our Sky darlings in the Championship League, they would be cutting down the number of Premier league teams entering to 3.

Dave Abrahams
381 Posted 15/03/2017 at 21:46:01
Graham (#375) – no, say it twice, go on.
Colin Glassar
382 Posted 15/03/2017 at 21:59:58
Bill, losing our (Premier League) 4th place was quietly forgotten after the 'Sky 6' threatened to form a break-away (16-team) super league.
John Malone
383 Posted 15/03/2017 at 22:03:30
Mark (#379), Niasse's not eligible to play, thank the lord, because you could guarantee he would score!!
James Marshall
384 Posted 15/03/2017 at 22:03:37
Of course none of us want him to leave, but surely everyone knows he's destined to go to a Champions League team and always has been?

None of this is news, and I don't see anything wrong with him wanting to move on – he has ambition, so what?

We've had plenty of goals out of him, and we'll get plenty of money for him – no player stays forever. I understand he's going to be a huge miss for us, but it was always going to happen at some point, and he still has 2 years left on his deal anyway.

Maybe he'll be sold in the summer, and I'll be gutted but I don't see any reason to get the hump over it, or with Lukaku himself. All this throwing your toys out of the pram about players wanting to go to bigger clubs is odd to me – there are plenty of bigger clubs than Everton and I couldn't care less whose club is bigger than whose because I love Everton and that's that.

I'd still love Everton if we played non-league football so all this media-hyped shite about players is a waste of energy to my mind.

I love Lukaku, and I don't want him to leave any more than anyone else, but, at the end of the day, players come & go – there'll be another hero one day.

James Brand
385 Posted 15/03/2017 at 22:07:11
Why is everyone concerned about keeping an "unhappy player?" He's been unhappy since he walked through the door and yet to his credit has been professional – banged in loads of goals. Okay, his press conferences on international duty are naive but I really don't think he owes us anything.

Like Stones before him, we hold all the cards. If we decide to sell in the summer, we will get north of £65M – end of. Like Stones before him, there is no way he will be happy seeing out the last 2 years of his contract on his current wage and not be in Champions League.

He wants out – we don't want him out, so he needs to make it an attractive deal to us. I'm really not surprised at the news – nor am I concerned...

Bill Gall
386 Posted 15/03/2017 at 22:10:04
Who, among the top European teams that are capable of winning the Champions League, do you think would sign him, or need him??
James Marshall
387 Posted 15/03/2017 at 22:14:31
Chelsea or Juve?
Muj Rasul
388 Posted 15/03/2017 at 22:18:50
All over Twitter that Lukaku has given an unauthorised interview which will state his intention to leave, apparently out after 10:30 tonight.

Not sure if this is true but, if it is, he has to be dropped for Saturday.

Ian Horan
389 Posted 15/03/2017 at 22:23:12
With Moshiri's comment, Lukaku will need to.put in a transfer request, EFC demand north of £70 mill. No buyers; come January 2018, put him on the market in the mad price desperate sales. He won't be cup-tied for the Champions League even if he plays in the Europa League for us. Win-win for me.

Also in this season's Europa League, let's hope Man Utd don't win it and finish outside the top 4!!!! Rom can't go there then, can he? :-)

Trevor Peers
390 Posted 15/03/2017 at 22:27:35
Can't see either Chelsea or Juve coughing up anywhere near £70 million for Lukaku, when they can get him for nothing in 2 years time.
Laura Round
391 Posted 15/03/2017 at 22:51:44
New article now with some quotes from him from today... good luck Saturday Rom.
Chris Leyland
392 Posted 15/03/2017 at 22:51:56
Trevor, of course someone will cough up a big fee this summer. 2 years is a very long time to wait to sign someone on a free. Football clubs live in the now and won't wait 2 years.

I'm more worried about Ross Barkley as he has 16 months left on his deal and getting to this summer when he will be in the last 12 months of his deal is a very worrying scenario as he is free to talk to clubs from abroad and sign a pre-contract from January.

Peter Laing
393 Posted 15/03/2017 at 22:56:33
The Red Echo are going into overdrive with the latest Lukaku exclusive. Essentially Lukaku indicating frustration at the speed of change at Everton, questioning transfer activity – or lack off.

Generally goes against the Prentice et al modus operandi of previously providing steadfast support for bungling Bill. I wonder if Moshiri has been thrown under a bus with this ?

Chris Owens
394 Posted 15/03/2017 at 23:06:23
We can manage without him if we get a big fee and use it to buy a couple of highly mobile top quality strikers. Depending so heavily on one man isn't good, especially in those games when he decides he's not up for it.
Trevor Peers
395 Posted 15/03/2017 at 23:10:57
Chris (#392), Who, name a team who might take him? Certainly not Chelsea or Juve. Costa and Higuain are both doing extremely well. I think there is a real lack of interest, mainly because Lukaku is not in involved on the European scene.
Stan Schofield
396 Posted 15/03/2017 at 23:15:34
Well, what Lukaku has finally said should put to bed all the nonesense that has been spouted about him not being committed to Everton. It appears that he is happy to stay, wants to stay, provided the Board match their words with substantial action. This is entirely consistent with the desire of Evertonians for the club to be back at the top, not just talking about being back at the top.
Rob Halligan
397 Posted 15/03/2017 at 23:18:55
Jeez, the Daily Telegraph now reporting Chelsea are to make a £100M bid for Lukaku and Barkley.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/03/15/chelsea-considering-100m-bid-Everton-duoromelu-lukaku-ross-barkley/
Trevor Peers
398 Posted 15/03/2017 at 23:23:17
Rooney said the same shit when he left! That's the spiel they come out with when they get desperate to leave. We've never been in a position to compete financially... Lukaku knows that, it's not about ambition.
Stan Schofield
399 Posted 15/03/2017 at 23:34:24
Trevor, the board have led us all to believe that we ARE now able to compete financially, with the 'new era', the so-called 'project', getting to the top, and all the other rhetorical stuff. If all this is not true, then we've been led up the garden path.

I would say that players of the calibre of Lukaku ARE bigger than Everton, because we won't get to the top but he will. So it's time for the club to show some real action to back up the fine words.
Will Mabon
400 Posted 16/03/2017 at 02:47:07
Erm, yes... that'll be post number 400, thank you.
Will Mabon
401 Posted 16/03/2017 at 02:50:19
"Jeez, the daily telegraph now reporting Chelsea are to make a £100M bid for Lukaku and Barkley."

All press balls maybe - but the content makes one wonder. Is there a hit out on Everton?

Bob Parrington
402 Posted 16/03/2017 at 07:48:26
Will #401 If that were to be true I feel we would have to take it and use it sensibly to a. buy a direct replacement plus a really good side-kick and either reinforce defensively with a good approx 25 y.o. CD and/or cover at LB

Tony @ 342. Very sound comment, mate!

Nicholas Ryan
403 Posted 17/03/2017 at 03:38:32
Player: "I want guaranteed Champions League football"
Manager: "Fine . when will you be signing for Celtic?"

I think it would probably help everyone, if Rom had a mysterious hamstring strain on Saturday. If he hasn't got one, he could always borrow one from James McCarthy!

Colin Glassar
404 Posted 17/03/2017 at 10:01:44
Will (#401), any team that threatens the establishment is instantly picked apart by the mercenary media. just look at Monaco now, all their players are moving to establishment clubs.

I say, drain the football swamp, make football great again!!

Will Mabon
405 Posted 17/03/2017 at 15:52:30
Colin, totally agree. I think more and more people are waking to what's going on and are less likely to suggest the tin foil hat when the issue is raised.

It's perhaps a kind of amorphous "Club" that's evolved as opposed to a structured conspiracy, but its actions are there to be seen. Everyone instinctively knows their part, and when the opportunity arises, out they come.

Barry Rathbone
406 Posted 17/03/2017 at 16:12:20
If Rom's first touch was as sharp as his comments, he would have been playing for Real Madrid by now.

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