As per "?ESPN, new Everton manager Ronald Koeman is set to offer wantaway striker Romelu Lukaku a new contract, in an attempt to deter potental suitors for the Belgian. "?
23-year-old Lukaku has made various statements suggesting he wishes to leave Goodison Park this summer, but Koeman will hope that a lucrative new contract, and the prospect of a brighter future on Merseyside will convince the striker to stay.
OFFICIAL: #EFC is pleased to confirm the appointment of manager @RonaldKoeman on a 3-year contract! #WelcomeRonaldhttps://t.co/fDdNUsO9Mf
"?"?Juventus and Manchester United are among the clubs that have been strongly linked with Lukaku already this summer, and it is felt that Lukaku believes he should be playing at a club with loftier ambitions than the eleventh placed finish Everton managed under former manager Roberto Martinez last season.
However, the arrival of Koeman, whom Everton chairman Bill Kenwright described as the club's "number one target" and the prospect of heavy investment in the playing staff, in the wake of billionaire Farhad Moshiri's implementation as majority shareholder, are both signs of the Toffees' ambition to return to the upper reaches of English football.
Such progress at Goodison Park would be boosted by a committed Lukaku, who was the club's top scorer with 25 goals in a season that did saw them reach the semi-finals of both the League Cup and FA Cup, but struggle for consistency in the Premier League.
Belgian Lukaku is currently part of Marc Wilmots' 23-man party at Euro 2016 in France, attempting to secure a first ever major international trophy for his country.
However, Belgium's bid for success got off to the worst possible start on Monday night, when a disjointed performance saw them comfortably beaten by a less talented but more organised Italian side.
Following a poor individual performance, Lukaku's place in the Red Devils side is under threat, with Liverpool frontman Divock Origi looking much sharper than the Everton man, having replaced him with 17 minutes left on the clock.
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