Everton have set a £75 million price tag on Arsenal FC and Chelsea FC target Romelu Lukaku, as they attempt to keep the Belgian star at Goodison Park, if reports from the British media are to be believed.
Lukaku, who started his Premier League career at Chelsea, had made a £28 million move to Everton in 2014, after spending a season on loan at the Merseyside club.
However, the Toffees failed to deliver, managing to finish only in the 11th position, despite the fact that Lukaku had a brilliant season, scoring 18 goals and providing 6 assists.
Everton’s poor finish in the Premier League seems to have prompted Lukaku to seek a move back to Chelsea, as the Belgian striker goes in search for European action.
However, Everton’s new major shareholder Farhad Moshiri is not prepared to let one of his best players leave this summer and has put a £75 million price tag on the Belgian, according to the Daily Express.
Despite this highly inflated asking price, reports from Italy suggest that Chelsea’s cross-town rivals Arsenal have raced ahead of the Blues in the Lukaku transfer saga. Emanuele Giulianelli, who writes for Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport, tweeted:
Despite Chelsea pressing, Arsenal have agreed personal terms with Lukaku. An offer will be submitted.
— Emanuele Giulianelli (@EmaGiulianelli) June 24, 2016
While the addition of the Belgian would strengthen either Chelsea or Arsenal’s forwards line, fans on Twitter were a bit more sceptic about Everton’s asking price for the Belgian striker. Here are some of the best reactions that we found on Twitter.
Arsenal interested in Lukaku, but Everton demand £75 million. #AFC #PL pic.twitter.com/4GCWxbn86H
— Fabian Månsson (@fabianmansson) June 25, 2016
75 million for lukaku haha get your laughing gear around that arsenal
— brian heath (@leebrichaz) June 25, 2016
Everton value Lukaku at £75 million???? Surely leaving the EU hasn’t had that much of an affect
— Michael Doran (@mdoran10) June 24, 2016
If Lukaku is worth 75 million in this market, i’m worth at least 15-20 ffs
— KRISHAN KUMAR PATEL (@93KRISH) June 25, 2016
@DerrylDsouza1 Also its waste to pay 75-80 million for morata, lukaku,only person deserving of so much is Dybala, doubt he would come anyway
— Karthik Upadhya (@ProteaFire_PSG) June 21, 2016
How can Everton ask for £75 million for Lukaku and keep a straight face
— Jack Lindsay (@jacklindsay_1) June 25, 2016
Is Romelu Lukaku worth £75 million I think not . #EFC #Lukaku #bel
— ⚽RED DEVIL NEWS⚽ (@pepsihazz800) June 25, 2016
@DannyBMiller @BBCSport lukaku is worth about 25 million, what team would be mad enough to pay 75??
— David Condron (@DavidCondron4) June 25, 2016
Interestingly, one particular Tweet even suggested that at £75 million, Lukaku is now worth more than Lusaka, the capital city of Zambia.
At 75 million quid it would be cheaper to buy #Lusaka than #Lukaku ! pic.twitter.com/NoU46QOwif
— Bungay Town FC (@BungayTownFC) June 25, 2016
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