Kenwright hopeful over Lukaku and Barry

, 13 June, 0comments  |  Jump to most recent
Chairman looks to keep two loan stars

Bill Kenwright says that Everton are hopeful of being able to bring both Romelu Lukaku and Gareth Barry to Goodison Park on a permanent basis this summer.

The Chairman spoke with Sky Sports following the announcement of Roberto Martinez's new contract and he suggested that the fact he has "good friends" at Stamford Bridge that might give the Blues an edge with regard to signing Lukaku.

The Belgian striker indicated that he could leave Chelsea with the impending arrival of Diego Costa and that has reportedly aroused competing interest from the likes of Atletico Madrid, Tottenham Hotspur, Wolfsburg and, lately, Real Madrid.

Martinez has made no secret of his desire to break Everton's transfer record to sign the 21 year-old after his successful 16-goal season of the Blues but he fears that a good World Cup for Lukaku would see him tempted to join a bigger club who could immediately guarantee him Champions League football.

"Romelu was a great addition to Everton," Kenwright said. “We would love to have him back and people at Chelsea are good friends of mine so we are hopeful.

"But he is at the World Cup now and I think we will have to see what happens at the World Cup.”

Kenwright spoke of all three of last season's loan stars, including Gerard Deulofeu who was officially recalled by Barcelona but could yet be farmed out on loan again should new boss, Luis Enrique, feel that he isn't quite ready for regular first-team duty at the Nou Camp.

Even if he doesn't, the Chairman is confident that his manager will be able to find other young gems to add to his squad ahead of what will be a busy 2014-15 season.

“Lukaku we would love to keep. Gareth Barry we would love to keep and that is ongoing work and we obviously have to add to the squad, so it is non-stop," Kenwright explained.

“Gareth Barry had a great season for us and I know the manager has spoken to him and I will meet with his people and we are hopeful that he will be there next season.

Who's to say what will happen to Deulofeu next season but there will be other Deulofeus that he [Roberto Martinez] will be looking at.”

Quotes sourced from Sky Sports





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