Farhad Moshiri tells Everton fans “not to worry” about Romelu Lukaku’s contract

With Evertonian heads still spinning at the news that Romelu Lukaku doesn’t want to sign a new deal, majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri has sought to add some calm and reason to proceedings.

News broke on Tuesday evening that Lukaku had turned down a new deal worth £140,000 a week and wanted to leave in order to play Champions League football.

Given that had come after weeks of positive rumours regarding contract talks it came as a bit of a shock to Everton fans everywhere.

It certainly made Jim White look a bit silly given Lukaku’s agent Mino Raiola told him last week that the deal was ‘99.999%’ done.

Sky Sports News presenter White is in regular contact with Moshiri who offered an update on the saga to the channel late on Tuesday.

Moshiri was quoted as saying:

“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 for the player.

No-one should worry. He’s our player”

Should we be encouraged by those words? Because Moshiri can offer all the money he wants but he can’t magically provide Champions League football - for 12 months at least.

However, what it at least suggests is that Everton and Moshiri are not going to let Lukaku go without a fight.

This saga has a long way to go yet before it reaches its conclusion.