LIVERPOOL, United Kingdom, Dec 21 – Everton are seeking to tie down Romelu Lukaku with a long-term contract that would make him the highest-paid player in the club’s history.
Reports say that the striker’s agent, Mino Raiola, has met with top Everton shareholder Farhad Moshiri.
The contract Lukaku is on at the moment was signed when he joined from Chelsea for a club-record Sh3.5 billion (£28 million) deal in July 2014, meaning the 23-year old makes about Sh9.4 million (£75,000) per week, while the new deal is tipped to boost that to about Sh12.6 million (£100,000) per week.
While Lukaku is contracted through 2019, a new deal would help Everton manager Ronald Koeman prepare for upcoming seasons.
Lukaku has expressed a desire to play for bigger clubs, saying he would like a chance to experience Champions League football sooner rather than later, while Koeman has suggested the Belgium striker would have to leave to fulfil his potential.
He has scored nine goals in 15 Premier League games this season.
However, a new deal would allow Everton to command a higher price if he does eventually depart, with some valuing the former Chelsea striker at £80 million.