Everton supporter groups have backed Ronald Koeman’s comments which suggested Romelu Lukaku must leave the club to fulfill his potential.
Koeman made the comments in an interview with Belgian newspaper HLN earlier this week, which sparked fresh doubts about the Blues striker’s future.
Farhad Moshiri, Everton’s largest shareholder, responded by insisting that the Dutchman’s quotes about Lukaku had been ‘taken out of context’.
But representatives for the Everton Supporters’ Trust (EST) and the Blue Union have backed Koeman’s public stance on the matter.
“He should have ambition,” Blue Union chairman Dave Kelly told BBC Sport.
“Why should Romelu Lukaku have any responsibility to stay at Everton? He’s not an Evertonian.
“I would love him to stay, but every player has his price. It’s unfortunate that more of our players are not getting looked at by the European leagues.
“There needs to be a statement of intent from our owner, that if clubs want to buy our players it will be on our terms and for top dollar.”
EST co-founder George McKane added: “It makes a pleasant change for someone to tell the truth.
“What he’s saying is what a lot of Evertonians are thinking.”