Ronald Koeman Happy to See Romelu Lukaku Signing New Contract

A few weeks ago, Everton manager Ronald Koeman admitted that it would be very difficult for the club to keep hold of forward Romelu Lukaku.

He felt that a player of Lukaku’s quality would soon be playing in the Champions League and that it would be difficult for Everton to stop him from leaving the club. There are numerous transfer rumours surrounding the 23-year-old in the summer including a potential return to Chelsea. However, Everton resisted the urge to sell the player after a slapping a £75 million valuation which appeared to have done enough to scare away potential suitors.

Now, though, have been able to convince the player to sign a long-term contract with the club. Lukaku was on around the £ 75,000 per week, but he is now the club’s highest-paid playerearning around £ 100,000 per week. The striker only had just over two years left on his contract, and he has signed for the next five years to remain with the Merseyside outfit. Lukaku has been one of the best players at the club this season.

He has scored nine goals in 16 league appearances, but he has managed only two in the last eight games. Everton will be hoping that Lukaku returns to form soon in order to reach the club’s objectives of at least qualifying for the Europa League.

“It’s a big deal because the club is showing it wants to keep its best players and doing everything to do that. You never know what can happen in a year in football but at least it’s an understanding that the boy likes to stay. He’s a big part of our future. We know what can happen but that’s football in general – players sign new contracts but don’t always stay to the end of it. If the new deal is done that is a good thing,” said Koeman.