Romelu Lukaku hints at future away from Everton after expressing Champions League ambitions
Romelu Lukaku has hinted at a desire to leave Everton after expressing his hopes to play Champions League football.
Lukaku says he wants to perform in Europe's elite competition as soon as next season, meaning he would need to leave the Toffees.
The Belgium international has been in great form this season with 18 goals but Everton have struggled and currently lie 13 points behind 4th placed Manchester City in 12th.
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"That [the Champions League] is the next step for me," Lukaku told Sky.
"I'm 23 next summer and I think it would be nice to play in the Champions League from next season.
"I have an agent who is dealing with this for me at the moment. I just want to be good, help my teammates win games and score lots of goals."
Earlier on Saturday Lukaku's father was quoted as saying the 22-year-old should join Manchester United and Bayern Munich.
Mino Raiola, Lukaku's agent who also represents Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Paul Pogba and Mario Balotelli, has long been critical of Everton's status and talked up a potential move.
"If we had met each other earlier, he wouldn't have played for Everton," said Raiola last season shortly after signing Lukaku as a client.
"The Everton directors don’t have to think Rom will play there for the rest of his career," he added.
"Later on, he’ll play for one of the world’s best teams: PSG, Manchester City, Manchester United or Bayern Munich. Big names, but nothing is impossible as Rom has great potential.”