Everton manager Ronald Koeman has admitted his side may not be able to rebuff Chelsea’s interest in Romelu Lukaku.
Standard Sport reported on Monday that the Belgian international has his heart set on a return to Stamford Bridge, with Chelsea willing to offer Everton £60million and Loic Remy.
John Stones’ £50m move to Manchester City and the financial backing of their new owner, billionaire Farhad Moshiri, means Everton are under no immediate pressure to cash in on Lukaku. But the 23-year-old is considering handing in a transfer request, so desperate is he to return to London.
It means that, speaking in his press conference today, Koeman has had to reluctantly accept that he cannot guarantee that Lukaku will still be an Everton player on September 1.
"He is still an Everton player but finally the board makes those kind of decisions," Koeman said.
"Of course, I would like to keep all my best players but I know football. I know business. Let's wait.
"The club is doing everything to keep all the players we'd like to keep in the team."
Everton look set to sign Crystal Palace winger Yannick Bolasie in a deal that could rival the £28m they invested in Lukaku in 2014 for their record transfer.
Koeman refused to be drawn on his interest in Bolasie, whose departure from south London is set to pave the way for Christian Benteke to join Palace, but did confirm he “will do business for three or four more players”.
