Ronald Koeman has claimed that Romelu Lukaku told him of his wish to stay at Everton.
Lukaku’s future has remained clouded in uncertainty amid interest from Chelsea, but with the striker’s former club have yet to back it up with a formal offer.
Whether or not the Belgium international leaves before the transfer window closes on August 31, Koeman says the Blues are prepared for every eventuality.
But the Everton manager, writing in Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, revealed that Lukaku has intimated his desire to remain at Goodison Park this season.
He said: “For the club and for this group it is totally awesome as ten days before the transfer deadline, Romelu Lukaku enters the manager’s office and tells us that he doesn’t want to leave but has decided to stay at Everton.
“Lukaku is the top scorer, the target man and only 23 years old. Him staying at the club is just as valuable as a big transfer.
“He is not only a great player but also a fine human being. He will experience football as you want a football player to experience it. It’s nice to work with him and vice versa,
“I think he sees that we want to improve a lot in all areas. Both the team, and to develop himself into a top player is a challenge for me.”