Chelsea FC and Manchester United target Romelu Lukaku might end up staying at Everton this season, as the Merseyside club’s valuation of the player might be too high for his suitors, according to reports from the English media.
The Belgian striker has been a much sought-after player this summer, especially after his performances at the recently concluded 2016 European Championships in France, where he scored scored two goals from five games.
Lukaku had made a £28 million move from Chelsea to Everton two years back after spending one season on loan at the Merseyside club.
The Blues have been trying to bring Lukaku back this summer, after the Everton striker scored 18 goals in the Premier League last season. Giving them competition are Manchester United, where manager Jose Mourinho is said to be aiming for a reunion with the Belgian striker.
However, Everton are reportedly unwilling to waiver their £65 million asking price for the player, which is why the interest in Lukaku has cooled off, according to a report in English newspaper Daily Mail.
The Daily Mail report also claims that West Ham United and Crystal Palace are also interested in signing the player, but are unwilling to meet Everton’s asking price. Despite the fact that Lukaku has expressed his desire to play in the Champions League, Everton are in no real danger of losing their talisman yet, as Lukaku still has three years to go on his current contract with the club.
Liverpool are stuck with two high-profile flop forwards
Meanwhile, in Christian Benteke and Mario Balotelli, Everton’s arch rivals Liverpool seems to be stuck with two forwards they do not want.
The latter has had a horrendous season on loan at AC Milan, scoring just one goal from 20 Serie A appearances. The former Manchester City star has experienced a tremendous fall from grace as he seems like a mere shadow of his former self right now. While Liverpool wants to offload the Italian, there seems to be no buyers in the market who are interested in signing him.
The case with Benteke is completely different though, as both Crystal Palace and West Ham are interested in signing the Belgian striker. Palace are even prepared to pay as much as £27 million for his services. However, according to a Daily Mail report, Liverpool are reportedly looking to make up the full £32.5 million that they paid Aston Villa to bring Benteke to Anfield, a year back.
Jurgen Klopp is said to be on a rebuilding mission at Liverpool this summer, and is looking to raise as much money as he can from outgoing players, in order to sign the players that he wants. Interestingly, the Reds are currently paying a combined wage of £200,000-a-week for two strikers their manager Klopp does not want.
