Romelu Lukaku admits Champions League ambitions
Saturday 19 March 2016 11:02, UK
Romelu Lukaku has hinted once again that the Champions League is an important incentive for his career.
The 22-year-old Belgium international has scored 25 goals this season and is looking like becoming the first Everton player to score 30 in a campaign since Gary Lineker 30 years ago.
But despite his continued excellence, Everton remain mid-table, with an FA Cup semi-final - brought about by Lukaku's double against Chelsea - keeping their season alive.
Reports have suggested Lukaku could move on from Goodison Park this summer and while he says he is not interested in a "fight" with the club about his future, he admits to thinking about a bigger stage.
"That's looking far ahead and I don't want to do that," Lukaku told the Guardian. "I'm 23 this summer. I have been playing since I was 16 and never had a taste of the Champions League.
"It is going to be seven years. You think about it - if it is going to happen? Champions League football is really the next step.
"If something happens, it will be for the good of the club. I don't want to leave in a fight, if it happens. I won't say this or that, it is going to be good for me personally and for the club."
Everton manager Roberto Martinez invested in Lukaku when it was clear Chelsea did not see a future for him and the striker is grateful for the faith shown in him by the former Wigan boss.
"They were the ones who believed in me at a time when nobody believed in me and they gave me a platform to perform," he added.
"I have tried to repay them by doing good performances, but I have an agent who deals with the interest. I do not want to be bothered with it. I just want to play my football.
"I have an open relationship with the manager. I will be honest enough with him to say what I think. But we have 10 more games to go and we are not at that point yet."
