What should Everton do in the face of a big-money Chelsea bid for Romelu Lukaku?

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With the summer coming around again, it means another bout of transfer speculation regarding Everton’s star striker for Toffees fans as Romelu Lukaku is again linked with a move away from Goodison Park. This summer is different, however. New owners have seen an increase in optimism and rumours of big money signings, instead of the usual bargain buys which have cobbled together a decent side on the blue half of Merseyside.

This summer though, the rumours of their star mans exit are stronger than ever. With most rumours linking him to a return to Chelsea, Ronald Koeman’s first big decision as Everton boss will be whether or not to hold on to the Belgian.

Last term was the striker’s best yet in Everton blue, notching 25 goals and seven assists in 46 games, and was one of the few positives in a frustrating season for fans as the side’s poor form under Roberto Martinez saw them finish 11th, well off the European places that fans; and Lukaku, would have been hoping for.

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Now aged 23, it seems that the Belgian feels it is time for him to take a step up in his career as he seeks European football and an opportunity to play at the very top level once again. Rumours suggest that Chelsea have already made a £50 million bid, but that the club are holding out for a value of around £75 million to allow their prized asset to head south to London.

Either fee would be a massive boost for Everton in their transfer hunt for players to enhance the quality of their side, who remain without a major signing despite months of speculation, but bizarrely; and for the first time in many years, there is no financial necessity for Everton to sell in order to buy. That means that Koeman faces a tough decision.

Under Martinez, the side was largely built around Lukaku, who missed just three Premier League games in the last two seasons. Their footballing ideology was based around quick wingers getting forward on the counter attack to either put balls into the box for Lukaku or to run in and support him when he held the ball up for them.

Koeman’s style is different, and based on his tenure at Southampton, is less likely to suit Lukaku. With creative midfielders playing a more important role, the importance of a strong striker such as Lukaku is reduced, and the need for greater pressing, something which is far from Lukaku’s strong point, is greater.

That makes it seem that Koeman may be reluctant to build a side around the current number 10. With an additional chunk of money in the bank, it seems that the better option for the Dutchman may be to sell the striker, cash in and re-invest the money in the squad, with Gylfi Sigurdsson the latest player to be linked.

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If Koeman and Everton do choose this path of action though, they should do so carefully. It only takes a look at West Ham this summer to see the difficulties in obtaining a quality striker, as they have suffered setback after setback, and even with Everton having obtained Leicester’s mastermind Steve Walsh, there is no guarantee that they would be able to find a quality replacement up front for Lukaku.

With Oumar Niasse struggling for game time since his January arrival, making just seven appearances in five months, and Arouna Kone lacking anywhere near the same level of quality, such a move would be a gamble for the Toffees. Should a capable replacement be found, it would be shrewd business, but if not, then the new Ronald Koeman era could be getting off to a shaky start in August.

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