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Romelu Lukaku latest: Everton striker's agent suggests he could turn down Chelsea, Manchester United and stay

The loquacious Mino Raiola claims his client is excited by Farhad Moshiri's investment

Tuesday 21 June 2016 18:21 BST

Lukaku is currently competing at the European Championship with Belgium (Getty)

Romelu Lukaku is in no rush to leave Everton and the investment made the club's new owner Farhad Moshiri has excited him, according to his agent.

After scoring a career best 18 league goals last term despite a season of underachievement at Goodison Park, the Belgium international has been linked with Manchester United, Juventus and his former club Chelsea.

Lukaku has made no secret of his desire to play for a club in the Champions League in the recent past and, last month, his father predicted that he would leave Everton in the summer.

Since then, however, the Merseyside club have appointed Ronaldo Koeman as Roberto Martinez's replacement and Moshiri has promised a transfer budget of around £100m to his new manager.

Mino Raiola, Lukaku's agent, believes that this may be enough to convince his client that he should stay.

"Everton don't need money anymore," he told Sportwereld. "Romelu wants to play for a club that can win trophies.

14 possible ins and outs at Conte's Chelsea

Show all 14

1/1414 possible ins and outs at Conte's Chelsea

14 possible ins and outs at Conte's Chelsea

<b>Out:</b> Diego Costa

The controversial striker is reportedly unhappy in England and believes that the country’s referees and media are targeting him. A move back to Atletico Madrid could be on the cards if the new manager cannot convince him to stay.

Getty

14 possible ins and outs at Conte's Chelsea

<b>Out:</b> Thibaut Courtois

The goalkeeper’s form has suffered since his knee injury earlier this season and, according to reports, Conte could cash in while the Belgium international’s value remains high. A wise move?

14 possible ins and outs at Conte's Chelsea

<b>Out:</b> Radamel Falcao

The desperately out-of-form striker has confirmed that he will return to Monaco for pre-season training, bringing an end to what has been a disastrous two-year spell in England.

14 possible ins and outs at Conte's Chelsea

<b>Out:</b> Loic Remy

Another player in need of a fresh start. He’s been a small fish in a big pond ever since joining Chelsea but has enough quality to become the focal point of an attack elsewhere.

14 possible ins and outs at Conte's Chelsea

<b>Out:</b> Nemanja Matic

His fall from grace has slightly overlooked this season. Imperious upon arrival, he’s fallen behind John Obi Mikel in the pecking order – a state of affairs that many would barely be able to believe this time last year.

14 possible ins and outs at Conte's Chelsea

<b>Out:</b> Alexandre Pato

Despite his brilliant debut at Villa Park, the Brazilian may have done too little too late to earn a permanent contract. Any offer would be a mistake unless he can definitively answer questions over his fitness.

14 possible ins and outs at Conte's Chelsea

<b>Out:</b> Oscar

One of the few players in the squad who can provide the odd moment of magic but infuriatingly inconsistent. The Brazil international can still command a decent market price and is therefore dispensable.

14 possible ins and outs at Conte's Chelsea

<b>Out:</b> Nathan Ake (Watford)

The 21-year-old defender spent last season on loan with Watford, and he will continue his Premier League education this term with Bournemouth after joining the Cherries in a season-long loan.

14 possible ins and outs at Conte's Chelsea

<b>In:</b> Romelu Lukaku (Everton)

The Belgium international has made no secret of his desires to play for a Champions League club and, according to The Independent’s Mark Ogden, Conte has made him his number one priority this summer.

14 possible ins and outs at Conte's Chelsea

<b>In:</b> Arturo Vidal (Bayern Munich)

Formerly an all-action enforcer in Conte’s successful Juventus sides, the Chile international would bring steel and dynamism to Chelsea’s central midfield. The likelihood of prising him Bayern Munich’s hands, however, could be slim.

14 possible ins and outs at Conte's Chelsea

<b>In:</b> Radja Nainggolan (Roma)

A suitable back-up plan if Vidal is not a practical target. The Belgium international has the quality to fit in at an elite club.

14 possible ins and outs at Conte's Chelsea

<b>In:</b> John Stones (Everton)

Chelsea’s high-profile pursuit of the defender was ultimately fruitless and, in the time since, he’s shown he’s probably not yet worth Everton’s asking price of £40million. However, with Terry on his way, a centre-back is needed. Will Conte pay the premium on Stones’ potential?

14 possible ins and outs at Conte's Chelsea

<b>In:</b> Andreas Christensen (Borussia Monchengladbach)

The 19-year-old defender is currently on loan in Germany and his current club are desperate to make the deal permanent, so impressive has he been. Chelsea, however, would be foolish to let another talented youngster slip from out their grasp, especially when he could be a cut-price improvement in a key area.

14 possible ins and outs at Conte's Chelsea

<b>In:</b> Juan Cuadrado (Juventus)

Conte’s arrival could be the reprieve that the Colombian’s Chelsea career needs but the question is – does he actually want to move back to the Bridge? After a successful period on loan in Serie A, the league in which he made his name, he may be the one who needs convincing.

Getty

"Something's changed at Everton: there's a new project. If he leaves, it has to be a good deal for all parties involved."

According to Lukaku's father, who spoke to journalists in May, Everton would demand around £65m for the 23-year-old striker. Raiola believes this rules out the mooted move to Juventus and prohibits all but a few 'global powers' from signing the player.

"Romelu certainly has the qualities to play in Italy," he said. "But as the Italian landscape currently looks, there's no team that can afford him. He is too expensive for Serie A.

"Only a global power can pay for him. The top clubs in England, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain."

Lukaku is currently on international duty with Belgium at the European Championship in France.

After failing to find the net in his country's opening game, a 2-0 defeat to Italy, Lukaku scored twice in a 3-0 demolition of Martin O'Neill's Republic of Ireland side.

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