Ronald Koeman has revealed that he will speak with Everton’s board next week in efforts to clarify Romelu Lukaku’s proposed new contract.
Lukaku’s agent Mino Raiola claimed on Thursday that the striker is set to put pen to paper on a fresh long-term deal as negotiations with Blues officials continue.
The player’s representative previously claimed in December that the Belgium international had ‘99.9% reached terms’ but progress remained stagnant.
Koeman described Lukaku’s decision as ‘perfect’ for Everton but is set to consult director of football Steve Walsh and the club’s hierarchy for a definitive update.
He said: “I don’t believe agents. I don’t know what is happening.
“I wouldn’t say anything now [to the board] but maybe after the weekend, yes. It’s no issue for now. Playing on Saturday is more important.
“It would be really good [if Lukaku signs] and important for the club, for the team and for me because it means we can keep the best players and he has seen a future in this club.
“That is really positive.”
A four-goal haul in last weekend’s win over Bournemouth confirmed Lukaku’s status as the Premier League’s leading goal scorer with 16 strikes to his name.
And the Everton manager believes that the 23-year-old is one of Europe’s most lethal marksmen even when stacked against the Barcelona icon’s former peers.
“He’s one of the best, even comparing him to the players in my time,” added Koeman.
“He is world class in his finishing. He is that good but he needs to improve in a total picture of a player. But that part of him is world class.
“It is always a good ambition of a striker to be top scorer in the league.
“The four goals he scored will be a real boost for the player but sometimes you can focus too much on scoring.
“Focus on the team, focus on the job you need to do when we don’t have the ball and focus on your movements.
“We know if we give him the chances normally he will score the goals. That’s more important than to focus on scoring goals.”