Calciomercato have a piece on Tuesday morning explaining that Mino Raiola is looking for next summer to be another big one for him, and his plan is likely to include Everton’s Romelu Lukaku.
During the summer transfer window, Raiola took Paul Pogba, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Zlatan Ibrahimovic to Manchester United, and also found an ideal home for Mario Balotelli in Nice.
Raiola was without out doubt the star of the window as far as agents are concerned and pushed Jorge Mendes off his perch. Well, it seems he’s got a taste for it.
There are already serious doubt being placed around 17 Gianluigi Donnarumma and his place at AC Milan. All sorts of clubs have been the subject of claimed interest, some making more sense than others, but surely it’s best for the youngster if he stays where he is.
Then there’s Everton’s Lukaku, with Calciomercato saying: ‘Raiola is studying (the potential transfer) for the coming summer.’
It’s pointed out Everton have already rejected €60m from Chelsea, and also that Raiola offered the player to Juventus in mid June, but the Turin club said no.
Given the likely cost, there’s only a few clubs who could build a deal. Lukaku would need to prove himself to be one of the best strikers in Europe this season, beyond doubt, if a club is to pay what Everton would want.
It’s the contract situation where Raiola may be able to squeeze Everton. If there’s no move or no contract renewal next summer, then in summer 2018 Lukaku will only have a year of contract left.
Depending on how Everton progress under Ronald Koeman, that’ll either mean getting Lukaku tied to a new deal, or looking towards a sale before his contract runs down too much.
