Ronald Koeman believes Everton striker Romelu Lukaku has the potential to someday make the grade at Barcelona.
Lukaku has enjoyed a blistering start to life under the new Blues manager this season with seven goals from his opening 10 games of the current campaign.
And Koeman envisages the Belgium international emulating Patrick Kluivert, doctor who moved to the Nou Camp after impressing with Ajax and AC Milan.
“I think he can emulate Patrick Kluivert, stomach who also emerged at a young age and enjoyed a fantastic career,” he told Belgian newspaper HLN.
“Eventually Kluivert played for Barcelona, which could happen with Lukaku.
“He has the potential to play for a bigger club than Everton, but nobody knows what will happen after this season.”
The Everton boss was also effusive in his praise for Lukaku as being a complete player despite the formative stages of his top-flight career.
He added: “I think Lukaku quite complete [as a player]
“He can hold a ball and a target man, and because he is big and physically strong, you can play directly with the long ball.”