Reports: Warning bells for Everton as Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus target Romelu Lukaku
Everton could have a problem on their hands come the end of the season as in-form striker Romelu Lukaku has been garnering attention from top European clubs. The Belgian striker could be subject to bids from powerhouses Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain next summer reports the Daily Mail.
Wary of the growing interest over their prized asset, Everton have moved quickly to place a £45m price tag on the 22-year-old striker in order to ward off interests from potential suitors.
The striker has been in splendid form for the Toffees this season having already scored ten times in 11 appearances in all competitions. This tally includes six in the Premier League along with an impressive four assists being named the Man of the Match twice along the way. He has been Everton’s most productive and lethal attacking outlet and has terrorized defences both home and away.
While he purports to be happy working under Roberto Martinez at Goodison Park, the reports assert he's hungry to taste Champions League football and thus likely to reassess his future with the Premier League side at the end of the season.
Lukaku has had an impressive career already at 22 years of age
The towering attacker started his senior career at Belgian powerhouse Anderlecht in 2009. After an impressive two-year spell at the club, he was signed by Premier League giants Chelsea in 2011. But Lukaku failed to settle in at the club and was eventually loaned out to West Bromwich Albion the very next year.
He had a remarkable spell at West Brom where he went on to score 17 goals from just 35 appearances for the club in all competitions. The subsequent season saw the Belgian move to Merseyside for his second loan spell from parent club Chelsea.
Lukaku continued his impressive performances at Everton with 15 goals in 31 caps in the 2013-14 season. Convinced with his ability and potential, Everton decided to make his move permanent as they coughed up a staggering 28 million pounds in the summer transfer window of 2014. Since the move, Lukaku has quickly established himself as a crowd favourite at Goodison Park.
The striker is also a regular part of the Belgian national team under manager Marc Wilmots. Lukaku, who is just 22 years of age, has already racked up an impressive 40 International caps and has scored 11 goals.