Romelu Lukaku “will sign” new Everton deal

Romelu Lukaku’s agent Mino Raiola has confirmed the Belgian striker won’t be leaving Everton this summer and will sign a new long-term deal at the club.

Speaking to Jim White on Talksport Raiola said there are “no problems between the player and the club” that “talks are ongoing” and Lukaku “will sign” an improved deal.

Lukaku smashed four goals against Bournemouth last weekend to rise to the top of the Premier League scoring charts.

That prompted the inevitable articles linking the 23-year-old with a move away from the club this summer.

Certain sections of the media seem determined to move Lukaku on, so a rush of baseless, quoteless and sourceless articles claimed he was off to Chelsea this summer.

Everton are determined to hang on to Lukaku and have been in talks with the Belgian and his agent Raiola for several months.

Raiola confirmed in December that Lukaku was close to agreeing terms and his latest comments suggest nothing has changed.

The news would be yet another boost to the club following a fine run of form since the turn of the year and a successful transfer window.

We all accept that Lukaku is likely to leave the club at some stage; but by signing a new deal he is at least committing the next few years to the club and guaranteeing a hefty transfer fee (£80-100m has been quoted) to any side that wants to buy him in two or three seasons.

It also sends out a powerful message to any player thinking about joining the Blues this summer.

Combined with the arrival of Moshiri, Koeman, increased player investment and a proposed new stadium; it paints a picture of a club that’s going places and is yet another reason for the fans to be excited about the future.