Friday 11 November 2016 08:52, UK
Everton co-owner Farhad Moshiri has tried to play down Ronald Koeman's talk about Romelu Lukaku leaving the club.
Speaking to Belgian newspaper HLN earlier in the week, the Toffees boss seemed to suggest the striker, who has scored seven goals in 11 appearances this season, deserved to be at a bigger club.
Koeman said: "If Romelu was to play at Everton until the end of his career, I know he has left something (behind). His potential is greater and higher than Everton, as a final destination.
"Patrick Kluivert was also a striker who was quite young in the picture and had a fantastic career. Eventually Kluivert played for Barcelona, which could happen with Lukaku."
However, Moshiri, also the club's majority shareholder, has questioned the reporting of his manager's quotes and told talkSPORT: "It has been taken out of context.
"Ronald Koeman said he believes Romelu will develop into one of the best strikers in the world in the next two to three years and wouldn't be out of place at his old club, Barcelona. It is just player-coach talk."
Lukaku was linked with a move away from Goodison Park during the close season but Koeman convinced the 23-year-old to withdraw his transfer request.
Seventh-placed Everton, who were on the receiving end of a 5-0 thumping by Chelsea on Saturday, will look to get back to winning ways when they host second-bottom Swansea City on November 19.
Watch Southampton v Everton on Sky Sports 1HD on November 27 from 4.30pm
