Lukaku to consider his options

Quote: "I have to have discussions and have to think about it. I want to go home and rest a bit with my family and then I will decide. It will be soon." Meaning: if nothing better comes along in the next few weeks, I may consider Everton.

Quote: "... and now I want to win titles ....." Meaning: actually scrap that, I ainÂ’t going to Everton.

Time to move on, Bobby, hope your other options are better than Kone & Traore.

"... and now I want to win titles..." — That rules us out then!

Lukaku probably has us as an option in his own mind in case a move to a Champions League club doesn't quite come off but would it be a permanent or a loan deal?

Yeh I know, things never pan out for us THAT well though.

Everton are more than capable of the Champions League and winning one of the cups. I suspect this young man might not have the number of options he thinks he has.

The RS have just payed 㿅 million for a one-season wonder who is 26 and an English flop, OK heÂ’s not a striker but really nothing special.

I canÂ’t see any of the top 4 sides who finished above us being interested in him so really his options are limited?? If heÂ’s looking "to win trophies", how long does it take a player to decide his future? WeÂ’re talking 8 weeks since the season finished and I think we should call his bluff with regards to a decision.

Signing for a consistent top 5 club, on big wages, where he will be our main striker should be something he is hoping for – not the other way around!!

If he wants to sign for a club on our level, say Spurs or Liverpool, then weÂ’re better off shot as he is all about money and not developing into a top player.

"I need time to think" translates to "For gods sake there must be at least one decent Champions League club who wants me?"

He really does not want to come to us unless he has to. He knows what we’re about, it should be a straight-forward decision (RM will have but a deal on the table), but I don’t think he rates us.

If he does show any decent form and we fail to get into the Champions League it will be Offski (within a year or two) and we will suffer all that "Will he? Won’t he?" crap and disruption to the team.

Hope he signs for us though.... hmmmm.

I'd love to see him at Everton next year. I can't really think of a striker that fits our system better, can you? Strength, determination, fierce left foot, young, and still learning.

Chelsea highly rate him as an asset but obviously not highly enough at the moment to offer him what he wants (ie, first choice starter / guaranteed regular in the team).

Everton seem to rate him enough to buy full time or take on loan again but most likely not at the level Chelsea rate him, or he rates himself.

So, the whole thing is a big "come and get me" from Lukaku who is in a bit of a no-man's land. He doesn't want to sit on the bench at Chelsea or spend another year with us or another non-CL club, so he's basically sending it out loud and clear that he's up for grabs – a plea which Chelsea will be more than happy with as they have a player they don't know what to do with, that they reportedly paid 㾶M rising to 㾽M for, who is slowly running down his contract and potentially his value.

If they can get 㿀-25M for him, I think they'd jump at it but it doesn't look like anyone's biting. So, all things considered, I'd offer 㾼M and a 4-year deal; if it gets rejected, say "Thank you very much" and go in search of someone else.

Chelsea make a bit on their investment, we get a badly needed striker with the potential to also make some money if we sell on, Rom gets first team football with the next best thing to a CL Club with the possibility of honours if he does his bit and also a club which he knows, if he performs, probably couldn't resist selling, should he cut the mustard.

And I imagine that is pretty much what he is left to think about – that we obviously aren't his first choice but are maybe his best choice. Whether we want a player who in turn thinks he's too good for us is what we need to think about.

Is there anyone on here who believes we’re going to do that any time soon?

Neither does Lukaku!

It’s obvious where his mindset is and I can’t see him fighting for our club. Last season he fought to get back into Chelski, it was purely incidental he was wearing our blue and not theirs.

If he signs for us, I just can’t see where his motivation is coming from, when his bubble is burst and he’s out of the CL / Title loop with an "also ran" club.

Lots of activity at Mordor at the moment. The only reason those pricks are buying Origi is so they can gloat about how they, "got the better Belgian, lar" such is their attitude to everything. Once El Chupacabra has fucked off to Barca for a cut-price fee, theyÂ’ll be back to square fucking one with a load more expensive unheard-ofÂ’s and overpriced Englishmen fighting over 2 places.

Hello Mike,

I wouldn’t go near him at 㿀M, he’s a decent player but I think he’s not going to improve a great deal more.

The markets way too inflated, we need to look elsewhere unless we can get him on the cheap (which I doubt very much).

Isn’t it interesting that none of the big clubs are sniffing around him? Not even Spurs who must be desperate after paying mucho wonga for Soldado and reaping a massive return in goals.

I’d rather get down the M62 and snap Chicharito up from Man Utd, probably for less than 㾶M. There must be other talent out we can snap up?

The longer the Barry saga drags on the less likely we are to sign him. He was our most consistent player and probably the most important player in the system we now play, so for me signing him is far more important than Lukaku. This deal should have been tied up weeks ago. If we lose him because he wants to play in America, then fair enough... but, if we lose him to West Ham or Villa, I will be really annoyed.

The real worry is others are strengthening and we as usual are waiting for the scraps. Billy and his mates are up to their usual tricks telling us there is money but will come out in September and tell us they just missed out... only for the alleged money to disappear again.

And every player wants to win titles – unfortunately there's only four pots to play for and invariably these are gobbled up by the monied clubs. So either let Martinez know what he's doing or fuck off and stay at Chelsea. But, mark my word, he'll be in hospital this time next year, getting the splinters removed from his arse. The kid is a nuisance, if you ask me.

Lukaku scored 16 goals last season. We had most points since 1987. ThatÂ’s the reality. Do people on here reckon weÂ’ll be able to bring in some worldy on the cheap who bags 20 goals and just fits right in, effortlessly? Michu had 1 good season. Lukaku has done it 2 years running so heÂ’s no one-hit wonder.

As shelling out ٣M on him plus his wages plus the development on the player ... just does not make economic sense no-matter how you look at it, and the only benefits are going to be ChelseaÂ’s rent a-player system, who were paying to make him a better player, so itÂ’s permanent or not at all.

Who do you mean? Surely not "it is difficult to compete with the money other English clubs are spending".

Give him another 𧴜 million. Misses out on the league by a few points and rips the side to bits? Let him bring a few more in.

The board have given Roberto a 5-year contract so you would like to think that they have also backed him with 'some' semi serious money. Don't hold your breath though!
As usual us fans want success now, it's only natural, but I think RM realises our only chance to break the glass ceiling is to develop our own young players, it's a long shot but we're never going to buy success.

However, this Everton board I cannot forgive. Roberto is manager – not you or me – so if he wants him, why is he not being backed? You might say 'wait' but do you really believe we will get real quality players in?

Look at the others teams' transfer dealings and do you think we can finish 5th again, never mind higher?!?

Bobby I trust... but he will soon find the board will be his achilles heel

Surely to fuck Bobby can find an up-and-coming young striker for a fraction of the price.

Ask him what he wants and if he is waiting for a better offer look elsewhere.

I think signing Barry will be better for us.

Chelsea by all accounts want 㿅M for him and we've bid slightly less (㿂M I think, 㾸-15M down-payment, the rest over the duration of his contract) and it's down to Rom to decide where he wants to go.

He hasn't shown up well at this World Cup and that can only be a good thing for us. Chelsea clearly don't want him and have other ideas with regards to their firepower next season. I think Lukaku is hoping for a decent, regular Champions League club to come in for him but most don't want to pay more than 㿀M for him!

So we'll see how this one develops...

What I was saying but didnÂ’t make clear was if the Redshite are scouting Origi, then why canÂ’t we? Rogers has bought some shite and long may that continue. If we have 㿅M to spend (which I doubt), I donÂ’t think we should blow it on one player and definitely not Lukaku as heÂ’s clearly not worth it.

I do wish it was us paying 㾶 million for Orgini who's only 19.

ItÂ’s typical Everton and typical Boys Pen Bill.

If RM is denied a few transfers/has been lied to heÂ’ll fuck off somewhere else cos the man is ambitious... and talented (unlike Moyes).

The joke, as ever is on us...

The headline was the joke? Is that what you were referring to?

Mate, you're talking about Kenwright here. He makes Scrooge look like fucking Rockefella, even talking about 㿞m would be enough to send him into a fit of wobblies to see an elephant off. As for 3-4 yrs, Kenwright canÂ’t see past next week, unless you owe him money.

Its Billspeak for make fucking do, youÂ’re not getting any of this Sky/BT money cos er, its all needed to pay down the last instalment of the Beattie fee. That and Other Operating Expenses to the accounts (aka Directors Pockets). So fuck off.

What I certainly won't do is be critical to him. In his year-long loan, he showed every bit of commitment and dedication to us possible, perhaps more so than some permanent signings, so he'll always be held in high regard by me.

Tottenham are too fickle, so really it's us or Athletico if Romelo wants to be unchained from Chelsea. The only other place is unthinkable, but could happen if they loan out the younger Belgian striker.

We would have Lukaku and Kone to rotate and now we just need a player of top passing ability to provide ammunition. If we have Lukaku and Mirallas plus Barkley we can finally get into that top four slot so long as Roberto can find a top schemer. We really need to BUY two top players plus three or four quality loans to ensure we have a strong squad to meet our additional fixtures.

I do not want to see our bench places taken up by players who will not get a game. Young Garbutt is the only one of the youngsters apart from Stones who I would expect to bring something to the team if we are realistic in our ambitions.

Romelu has looked a bit lazy and uncompetitive for a while. He would benefit from my special summer training programme – lots of rare steak (with salad, pasta and as much fruit as he can eat) and one-on-one sessions with Duncan. I only want him in our new blue shirt if he is sharp, ruthless and committed.

This may make him and Chelsea think this is the best offer on the table, or at least put us in the picture if we've got no chance. We need to move on to our next targets soon if he is not going to sign.

http://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/no-disrespect-to-arsenal-but--chelseas-romelu-lukaku-takes-swipe-at-mesut-ozil-during-brazilgermany-clash-9593499.html

He’s having ago at Ozil for leaving Real to go to Arsenal, FFS if he regrades Arsenal as not a proper CL team, what must he think of us?

You have to question his psychology, he absolutely loves himself and believes he’s destined for greatness!

It’s a pity his performances aren’t matching his expectations, they’re all queuing up for him after his World Cup displays!

Why should his opinion on an Arsenal player worry an Evertonian?

"I am 21 and I have been loaned for the last two seasons. Thibaut Courtois was loaned for three seasons and will be without doubt the first-choice Chelsea goalkeeper."

DoesnÂ’t he contradict himself with this? I donÂ’t get it.

I would echo Paul's comments. I don't think it's about RM growing a pair (and it is easy for any of us to get a little impatient when we know that there are gaps in the squad).

I suspect that for Lukaku RM is deploying exactly the same patient, supportive, respectful, gently flattering approach that he used so successfully in case of Barry. I am sure he is bringing to bear all of his psychological and other weapons to persuade Lukaku that Goodison is the best place for him. Nevertheless we all know he doesn't have the same financial muscle as others, nor the immediate appeal of the CL.

This one may well take some time. RM has already warned us that transfers are likely to go to the wire.

What other clubs have told a player "We want a decision by the weekend, or we will look at other alternatives"?

Transfer business is not done by issuing ultimatums.

On the Lukaku subject, the more I hear from him, the more I am wary of spending too much money on him. Being on loan, trying to get a place in your parent club's team is one thing... but moving permanently requires total commitment and at Everton, if he deems fit to join us, he will have to learn that his views will have to be more considered.

He has always been outspoken since he first arrived in England and probably before that too. Like all players attempting to make their way in the game, he would be well-advised to do all of his talking on the pitch. When he has scored plenty of goals in the Premier League and Europe and nailed down a starting place in the Belgium squad, he will have earned the right to criticise his fellow professionals.

That plus is worth a lot. Look at what happened to Arshavin at Arsenal: one of the best footballers I've ever seen in Russia, but a bad fit sent his career into a downward spiral.

I don't care about Lukaku's place in the Belgium squad if he's scoring 20 goals a season for us. He does seem to thrive when he has extra motivation.

How about this: With us, he knows he has to perform well and score goals for our – and his – team to make the Champions League. If a CL spot is on the line, Lukaku is one player we know will be extra motivated to win.

Catterick quite rightly said you don't make a club like Everton wait. We moved on and carried on winning, but sadly the club has fallen behind in the cash stakes so now we have to wait till his agent has trawled him all over Europe and, if nobody bites, then he will consider signing for us.

I genuinely feel that our manager brings a bit of an edge in the transfer stakes with his approach. Do you remember how Lukaku ran to him towards the end of the season? Maybe I am over-optimistic but I feel that whoever we get in, RM will: (a) improve them; and (b) find a way of mixing the ingredients he has available in the team to best advantage. And I think some players actually sense these things.

Those were the days! If hasn't changed for the better, agents are killing the game.

I couldn't be happier.

If they become involved his price goes up immediately, I hope the end up paying 㿊m+.

Sadly he’ll probably suit their counter attacking style more than ours. Although they might find he’s got one or two ball control problems.

True they come 5th this time, but they are very well funded team with a new stadium and in a league that is nowhere near as competitive as ours.

Once you go below Bayern and Dortmund, there’s not much happening in the Bundesliga, there’s 2 CL places available to any one of about 6 teams, Wolfsburg have an extremely good chance of the CL next year.

Lukaku if he goes there may well be playing regular CL footy.

I'm not concerned if he goes there as the Everton lads know how he plays and he has a fair few games when he goes missing.

Roberto needs to forget Lukaku and go elsewhere as I don't want us starting the season depending on Kone alone.

If it's of any worth, I think we'll smash our transfer record and buy him in the next few weeks.

Lukaku going to Liverpool would be beyond horrible. On the plus side, I don't think they'd sell to a title rival.

Roll on September 2nd when we can all concentrate on the players we have got in the squad.

Arsenal and the RS were our closest rivals at times last season and now Arsenal have signed a world-class forward.

We can't let the RS pinch our top scorer. What kind of message does that send to Stones or Barkley?

Man Utd will be a force this season again too so, to remain competitive, we need to sign at least four first-team quality players.

I do like Lukaku and he seems a mature and educated young man. Lots still to leaner but bags of potential. I'm still 50/50 on weather to spend 18-23 million on him.

In short – he is better suited to our type of football.

Also... under HALF the price!!!

My opinion is the same as before.

The more the RS pay for him the better as far as I’m concerned, I hope they do an Andy Carroll with him.

Anyway back to to the article, My opinion along with others is Lakaku is stalling for time, waiting to see if any of the big fish bite and sign him up, if not then Everton will be his safety net, cannot blame the guy one bit knowing if a champions league team does not come in, he has Everton.

Its a bit like a saturday night out, you seek the Angalina Jolies out, but you also have a 1.50am last resort on stand by as a marker, weve all done it, well the male contignent anyway, and thats how its beguinning to feel like with Lakaku, we are the 1.50 am last resort.

I’ll have to dig out my brut aftershave and sequined shirt now, you’ve got me pining for the Grafton!

Maybe, just maybe.........

It would be a real shame if he went to the dark side.

'The bookies are generally right' because they swap and change their odds depending on the sway of demand. Of course they always end up right, because they keep on taking people's money until it is no longer financially viable.

But he'll have Jenny waiting at home, so he's just looking – anyway he left his wallet at home (again).

Dig those boots out, Joe, have a feeling you just maybe lacing them up for the coming season.

I would stay away from Lukaku unless we got him for 㾾 million or less.

Whatever way you look at it he is a huge risk for that kind of money.

I would prefer Bony a lot more.

My problem with Lukaku is his attitude on and off the pitch. He talks like he is the next Maradona, but his ability in the air and his work rate is really poor.

I think he needs a reality check, and Martinez could provide that.

All-in-all, I think Martinez should look at another more finished product, though one would think he already was given his asking price.

His bad World Cup has to affect his value, he is not worth 㿀 million.

Having said that subsequent performances influence the sell on value and some expensive flops prevail. Torres being a prime example.

However I think at 20 million Lukaku is a fairly safe investment. He is young, proven and so what if he has a bit of swagger, don't they all these days.

Jimmy, I think you do Lukaku a disservice. He is an intelligent young man who speaks six languages and who has confidence in his own ability.

Drenthe was/is a gobshite surrounded by would be gangsters and hangers on, a man who didn't deserve the talent he was born with. He is currently without a club, as I believe.

That's more than reacting to gut feel from a wide section of punters isn't it?

And in the absence of a general transfer thread, our supposed chase of some Colombian named Bacca has given us the headline "Everton chew over Bacca transfer". Which is good to see even if nothing comes of it.

Jimmy S, you are one moaning so-and-so. Give it a rest, lid, as Roberto usually proves you are wrong.