da betobet： According to reports in talkSPORT last week, Everton were said to be close to agreeing a new five-year deal with star striker Romelu Lukaku, but the Daily Telegraph say a disagreement over a clause in the contract is now holding it up.
What’s the story, then?
da realsbet： Well, Everton were confident that they were close to securing a long-term commitment for their prolific attacker – who has netted 19 league goals this term and recently became their all-time record Premier League goalscorer – but they are now being forced to play hardball.
That is because Lukaku’s agent wants a buy-out clause in the new contract that could see the Belgian leave if the Merseyside outfit received an offer worth between £60m and £70m.
Toffees chairman Bill Kenwright instead wants to make it £90m, as he believes interested clubs would be less likely to shell out what would be a world-record fee for the 23-year-old this summer.
What’s Lukaku saying?
He appears to be remaining tight-lipped on the situation.
When asked by Dutch reporter if he was going to sign the contract he had been offered following the win against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday, he simply replied: “No.”
How would Everton replace him if he did go?
With great difficulty.
Lukaku has quickly become one of the most reliable goalscorers in the Premier League and after netting 62 goals in 131 appearances for Everton, he would leave a huge hole up top if he were to depart Goodison.
What’s the verdict, then?
Well, with the striker’s agent, Mino Raiola, previously stating that he is “99.9999%” sure that Lukaku will sign the new deal, it appears as though a small compromise will have to be made by both parties before pen is finally put to paper.