Koeman: Everton will 'do everything' to keep Lukaku

Everton is prepared to go to battle with anyone who wants to sign Premier League hot shot Romelu Lukaku this summer.

Despite suggestions that Lukaku has no interest in extending his stay at Goodison Park, manager Ronald Koeman vowed Thursday that his star player won't be leaving without a fight.

Lukaku leads the Premier League with 24 goals - already six more than he scored all of last term - but the temptation of returning to former club Chelsea is reportedly weighing on his mind.

"If someone is interested for sure they will call the board and then we will speak about it, but we will try to do everything to keep him at Everton next season," said the Dutchman, according to PA Sport.

In a bid to ward off suitors, the Toffees reportedly placed a £100-million price tag on the 23-year-old. Lukaku could yet force a move if he refuses to sign a new contract ahead of June 2019, when his current deal expires.

In a similar situation, Koeman said recently he would sell contract rebel Ross Barkley if he didn't agree to fresh terms this summer.

Lukaku's future is now one of the biggest storylines heading into the close season. Chelsea has for some time been linked with the Belgium international, even if relations between the Blues and Everton remain frayed from the fallout of John Stones' blocked transfer south in 2015.

But the overwhelming feeling is that Lukaku has unfinished business at Chelsea. The west Londoners signed the player from Anderlecht in 2011, only for Jose Mourinho to sanction his sale to Everton after a brief loan spell on Merseyside.