Koeman urges Lukaku to stay

Everton manager Ronald Koeman believes Romelu Lukaku should stay at Everton because of the team’s improvement this season, BBC reports.

 Lukaku’s agent, Mino Raiola, has already said that negotiations for contract extension at Everton are at 99 per cent complete.

 “If players see a future at the club and the team is improving and getting strong every day that is always a plus for them to stay.” Koeman said.

“That is what we need to show him so he is convinced the short future is at Everton. I didn’t speak to the board about Romelu.

“If the agent mentioned he liked to stay and he will sign a new deal that is perfect for Everton.”

Lukaku has been a top performer for the Toffees this season and has so far added 16 goals to his tally this season, including four against Bournemouth on Saturday. The Belgian international has been stellar for Everton since his move from Chelsea in 2014, scoring 59 in 127 matches, and this has ignited rumours that they might be interested in resigning him.

“We know everyone has their own ambition–that’s only human–but we want to keep the good players and he is one of those.” Koeman continued.

“He is top scorer in the league at the moment and is playing at a high level and is so clinical it would be difficult to find replacement for him, and for that I hope he will stay.”

Everton travel to Middlesborough on Saturday in bid to reduce the gap to top five in the table. They are currently trailing five points off fifth place Liverpool.