Romelu Lukaku has excelled in the Premier League this season, standing top of the scoring charts after his hat-trick against Bournemouth last weekend, but Everton will struggle to keep hold of the Belgian striker this summer.

With the World Cup now 18 months away, Lukaku will want to be playing at the highest level and, whilst his spot in the Red Devils' international squad is secure for now, there is the chance of someone else staking their own claim.

Whilst the odds seemed to be stacked against Everton in their hopes of keeping Lukaku, Toffees boss Ronald Koeman is optimistic of the club's chances. Quoted by Sky Sports, the Dutch boss said:

"I didn't speak to the board about Romelu. If his agent says he likes to stay and is close to signing a deal then that is perfect for Everton. Normally players, if they really see a future in a club, they see the team improving, the team is getting stronger every day, then that is always a plus for players to stay."

"We know everybody has his own ambition, that is normal, that's a human being, and we like to keep the good players and he is one of them."

With 16 goals in 22 Premier League matches this season, and having already reached the landmark of a century in his career, Lukaku is destined for big things and Everton will hope they will take place at Goodison Park.

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