Everton put out the feelers for Romelu Lukaku’s replacement
Boss Roberto Martinez accepts the risk of standing in the way of an unhappy player
Everton are planning for life without Romelu Lukaku next season.
The Belgium striker wants Champions League football and is set to leave Goodison for £50million.
And agents have been told that the club are looking for a forward to replace the 22-year-old, who is a target for Real Madrid, Juventus, Manchester United and Chelsea.
Lukaku has insisted that playing in Europe’s top competition “is the next step for me”.
Roberto Martinez says that Everton do not need to sell and pointed to John Stones staying at the club last year.
But he also risks having an unhappy player if he refuses to cash in on the ex-Chelsea striker.
Martinez is also in the market for a goalkeeper but is unsure on whether he needs a No1 or No2.
That means Joel Robles will have the chance to stake his claim in the remaining nine games this season, starting with today’s clash at Manchester United.