Lukaku reaches 'agreement' with new club as Everton exit nears
It appears to be just a matter of time before Romelu Lukaku's tenure with Everton becomes a thing of the past.
Speculation over Lukaku's future persisted throughout the season, with his refusal to commit long-term to the Merseyside outfit in March fuelling reports that a move this summer was likely to occur.
The Belgium international revealed to Gary Cotterill of Sky Sports that he has reached an "agreement" to join a new team but did not disclose specific details of a possible transfer.
"My agent knows what's going to happen and I know as well," he said while on international duty with Belgium.
4 - Romelu Lukaku is one of four players in PL history to score 80+ goals before turning 24 (also Owen, Fowler & Rooney). Coveted. pic.twitter.com/t0UUMWm9YY
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 6, 2017
"I'm staying calm and we have an agreement with the club as well. We stay calm and at least we have a direction where we want to go.
"I'm just going to rest for a few days and then just prepare for next season. I want to put the time in on my holiday to take everything to another level and be better than I was last year."
The 24-year-old, who has been critical of Everton for "living in the past" and questioned the club's ambitions, has also been promised that his departure will be granted if "certain clubs" submit an offer, according to his agent Mino Raiola.
He's been heavily linked with a return to Chelsea after reportedly being identified as the team's top target this summer - just three years after the Blues sold him to Everton. Manchester United is another club mentioned, with reports speculating that his former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is eager to reunite with Lukaku at Old Trafford.
(Photo courtesy: Action Images)
Meanwhile, speculation over a possible move to Italian champion Juventus has cooled in recent months. Lukaku may not be interested in a move abroad after hinting at a possible stay in England.
"We are now talking to the club. The most important thing is I want to win trophies.
"What I would like most is to play in the Champions League and to try and win the Premier League once - or better, a few times. That would be the most beautiful thing.
"That's important for my progress as a player. I don't want to stay at the same level. I want to improve and I know where I want to do that."
Everton is expected to command a significant transfer fee after Lukaku finished the season with 25 goals, ranking second in Premier League scoring behind Harry Kane.