Romelu Lukaku is being strongly linked with a move to Chelsea
Romelu Lukaku was seen in conversation with Chelsea transfer chief Michael Emenalo after Everton’s 3-0 defeat at Goodison Park.
It could be an ordinary conversation between two former colleagues and friends.
It’s highly unlikely to have consisted of a transfer discussion.
But it’s the context of the warm chat between Romelu Lukaku and Chelsea’s Director of Football Michael Emenalo which has inevitably got some Blues wondering.
The pair were spotted catching up in the mixed zone area after Blues 3-0 defeat by title-chasing Chelsea at Goodison Park yesterday.
They were filmed by French journalist Claude Atcheba who later tweeted ‘Everton’s fan shortly I will have bad news for you #Everton #Lukaku #chelsea’.
He followed up that message by claiming Goodison officials did not want him to release the footage. ‘Lukaku news is coming #Everton is working hard to stop me sharing some footage with you. Stay Tuned’ he added.
Before finally ‘Everton fans look away’.
Romelu Lukaku is leading the race to win the golden boot
Other journalists read less into the incident.
Well-connected Belgian reporter Kristof Terreur tweeted ‘No, they didn’t agree personal terms in the tunnel. Chat among friends. Lukaku is a Chelsea target, but no talks on going atm.’
Emenalo has always been an enthusiastic supporter of Lukaku, and was believed to have disagreed with Jose Mourinho’s decision to sell him to Everton in 2014.
So with rumours swirling that the Premier League’s top goalscorer wants to re-join the Londoners in the summer, the timing of the chat will raise eyebrows in some quarters.
Lukaku has refused to sign a new contract, and last month the ECHO revealed that the Toffees have slapped a £100m price tag on his head to deter Chelsea and others.
It is understood that Everton are resolute and will not be pressured into selling a player who is crucial to Ronald Koeman’s plans on anything but their own terms.
