Striker Romelu Lukaku tells Everton he will not sign new contract at Goodison Park
Only last week the Belgium international's agent Mino Raiola had claimed the deal was '99.99999999' per cent done
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Striker Romelu Lukaku's future at Everton has been thrown into doubt after he told the club he does not want to sign his new contract.
Only last week the Belgium international's agent Mino Raiola had claimed the deal was "99.99999999" per cent done.
However, despite the prospect of becoming the Toffees' first £100,000-plus-a-week player the 23-year-old appears to have had a change of heart.
At the weekend a Belgian broadcaster asked Lukaku whether he was going to sign the contract, whether he was still reflecting on it and whether there was an agreement and to each question the striker simply answered 'No'.
Suggestions then began to emerge that there was a disagreement over a proposed release clause with Everton wanting it set at £90m - which would require any club to break the world record transfer fee - and Lukaku's side looking for the figure to be closer to £70m.
It's understood further developments have now apparently seen the player inform the club after training on Tuesday that the new contract will remain unsigned.
Lukaku, who is the Premier League's joint top goalscorer with Harry Kane on 19, has emerged as one of Europe's top talents and has regularly spoken about his desire to play in the Champions League.
In spite of improvements under Ronald Koeman this season Europe's elite competition remains a considerable way off for the Toffees.
Everton managed to persuade Lukaku, a club-record £28m signing from Chelsea in the summer of 2014, to stay last summer despite interest from his former club, among others.
But even with two years left on his current deal the club - who have declined to comment about the current situation - appear unable to match the player's ambitions and are likely to find it far more difficult to repeat the feat this year.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments