Chelsea transfer news: Lukaku drops hint, Raiola in talks
Everton striker will leave Goodison Park and move to 'another level' this summer - latest transfer news and gossip
Romelu Lukaku has decided on his future, and it doesn't involve Everton. But where the Belgian striker will be playing his football next season remains a closely guarded secret - for the time being.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Lukaku said: "My agent knows what's going to happen and I know as well. I'm staying calm and we have an agreement with the club as well. We stay calm and at least we have a direction where we want to go."
Asked when an announcement might be made, Lukaku replied: "I'm just going to rest for a few days and then just prepare for next season. I want to put the time in on my holiday to take everything to another level and be better than I was last year."
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Leaving everything in the hands of his agent could be a shrewd move for the striker. He is represented by Mino Raiola, who masterminded Paul Pogba's world record move to Manchester United last summer.
According to the Daily Telegraph, Chelsea are believed to be the club who have won the race to Lukaku's signature and they are "expected to go close to the £100m fee still being demanded by Everton".
The Blues link was given credence by comments the player made in an interview with Belgium newspaper HLN: "We are now talking to the [unnamed] club," said Lukaku in reply to a question about his destination next season, before dropping a hint that he would be staying in England.
"The most important thing is I want to win trophies. What I would like most is to play in the Champions League and to try and win the Premier League once - or better, a few times… I don't want to stay at the same level. I want to improve and I know where I want to do that."
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