Koeman’s delight at Luk-y deal
RONALD KOEMAN has hailed Romelu Lukaku’s decision to stay at Everton.
The Goodison Park boss believes the power-packed striker’s declaration of commitment is like him recruiting an expensive goal-scoring superstar.
Koeman said: “It is the same value as a megasigning for this club. It is absolutely fantastic news for the club and our team.
“When it is 10 days before the end of the transfer window and you are still focusing on the business you may have to do as a club if he left, then it is just really good.”
Chelsea sources believed they could lure Lukaku back to Stamford Bridge, with a £67million fee mooted.
But, from his arrival at Goodison Park in June, Koeman has insisted he would persuade the big Belgian striker to stay.
“Lukaku is our top scorer, he is our target man,” said Koeman. “He is our main striker and he is only 23 years old. You can imagine that I am happy.
“It is important to me that he is not only a good footballer, but he is also a great person. Lukaku sees football and lives for the game the way I think a top player should live for it.
“He is a great guy to work with on the training pitch for me – and vice-versa.
“I think he sees we are able to improve a lot of things – on the team and on his style of play.”
Koeman believes he can help Lukaku become one of the most accomplished front men in the Premier League.
“Developing Lukaku is my big task here,” said Koeman. “The fact that he stays comes on top of a series of signings I am happy with at a time of building a new team for Everton.”
Koeman then listed the value of newcomers like Maarten Stekelenburg, Ashley Williams, Idrissa Gueye – and Yannick Bolasie from Crystal Palace last week.