Friday 17 June 2016 19:46, UK
Ronald Koeman wants to keep Romelu Lukaku and John Stones at Everton and has refused to rule out an attempt to bring some of his former Southampton players to Goodison Park
Striker Lukaku, who scored 25 goals last term, has already indicated a desire to leave Everton this summer, while England defender Stones has been linked with moves to both Manchester clubs as well as Barcelona.
"I haven't spoken to Romelu," Koeman confessed. "From this moment, I'm working for Everton and I will talk to several players.
"Lukaku is a key player, a goalscorer, you don't want to lose your best players. If I can do something about that, I will."
On Stones' future, Koeman said: "I like to help everybody and sometimes you have something more, he plays where I played. There will be good support for the boy. First I would like to talk to him personally, ask what his feeling is and make conclusions."
Koeman did not discount the possibility of looking to bring in some of the players with whom he worked at Southampton.
"If we realise we need better players or players in other positions, we will work about that. We have a budget," he said.
"I don't know [if I am going to try and sign a Southampton player]. It's difficult. I like most of the players but maybe it's best we don't make that fight today.
"I will keep it short on Southampton as it is important to look forward in life. I had a meeting with the board - the first option was to go into the third year of my contract, and I said that was not possible.
"There was no way I was signing a new contract and I did not agree. Through that whole story, Everton showed that kind of interest. Southampton gave me the permission to talk to Everton and I'm the new manager - and that's all I would like to say.
"Thanks to them, we had two fantastic seasons - thanks to the players, staff and fans, but I'm in Everton now."
Everton chairman Bill Kenwright made it clear Koeman was the standout contender for the job once the club decided to part company with former boss Roberto Martinez.
"He made his impression before we met him," Kenwright said.
"When we said goodbye to Roberto - a sad day - he was the first name of mine and Farhad's lips. He's very much the choice of the board, and from what I gather, a big choice of Evertonians.
"I've told him I've seldom felt so much unison in the fanbase. He says all the right things, I'm impressed! He has our total support and we're really behind him, we are really grateful he has joined Everton."
Koeman added: "To be involved in this great big project for the next couple of years is fantastic and a big feeling.
"Everybody knows the history of Everton. It's a big history and it's nice to be part of that, to win and play European Cup football and win titles. Everyone is ready to take the next step and I'm one of them.
"Every manager has his own style, I like the fans to enjoy it but I also like to win the game. I'm not a coach or a manager to wait. I play to win the game, it's the style I like, it's the spirit we like to have in the team. That's the way how I want to manage Everton."
