HE’S MR EVER TEN

Lukaku out to extend Hammers streak

RONALD KOEMAN has warned Romelu Lukaku’s suitors that £100million may not be enough to buy him.

And as Everton prepare to take on West Ham tomorrow, Lukaku’s incredible record against the Hammers – scoring in nine consecutive games against them – underlines why Koeman wants to hang on to the striker.

The Everton boss accepts the Golden Boot contender will inspire staggering offers from the likes of Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Chelsea and Manchester United, and even confessed to planning for next season without the striker.

But after Lukaku was named in the Premier League team of the year and shortlisted for player of the season, Koeman said: “I am not involved in that business (money and transfers). He has a two-year contract. If somebody is interested in him, they will call the board. But we’d like to keep him at Everton for next season.

“I had several conversations about how this is the best place for him. He is working hard, he is improving and, with 24 goals with five games to go, he can reach a really high total.”

Koeman is adamant the interest surrounding his Premier League leading scorer will not derail Everton, and revealed he is already planning for life without Lukaku AND star midfielder Ross Barkley.

Asked if doubts over their futures were destabilising his transfer plans, he said: “We need to be prepared for if they stay and if they don’t stay.

“It is sometimes difficult (not knowing). We are still in this season and still playing for this season. What happens for next season we will see. We are too focused on next season and not enough on this season.”

And Koeman (with Lukaku, below) believes Everton can use their centre-forward’s fondness for netting against the Hammers to put massive pressure on Arsenal and United above them in the table. The Dutch boss added: “We are showing you can give good competition to the strong teams, the big teams, when they are not having a fantastic season.

“It’s incredible we have the same points now as United and Arsenal but that’s football.

“It’s not about money. It’s about players, the team, organisation, about spirit, about belief.”