Romelu Lukaku exit talk is 'normal', says Everton boss Roberto Martinez
Friday 1 April 2016 11:33, UK
Everton boss Roberto Martinez says he is not concerned that star striker Romelu Lukaku wants to play in the Champions League next season.
Lukaku has been in outstanding form this season, scoring 18 Premier League goals. But while away on Belgium international duty the 23-year-old gave the clearest indication yet that he could leave Goodison Park this summer.
His father said he also believes his son should leave Everton, adding he would like to see him playing for Manchester United or Bayern Munich.
And the player's agent Mino Raiola this week openly talked about interest from Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain and even Real Madrid.
With Everton 12th in the Premier League table, European football is almost certainly beyond them.
But Martinez says Lukaku's ambitions simply match the club's and that speculation about the striker's future had not unsettled the squad.
"It's normal," he said, at his media conference ahead of Sunday's trip to Manchester United. "Every time we lose players to internationals we get attracted to what the players [say] and their family members, fans, people affiliated to them…
"Nothing will take away from the concentration, the next two months of the season for us are vital. We need to make it an outstanding season in the two months we have left. That's the only thing that matters.
"There is always speculation because he is performing well on the pitch. People want to have a say about that.
"It is not unsettling at all. That should be the aspiration of everyone, as soon as you can - aspire to be in the best competitions.
"At Everton we have got that aspiration. We want to be in the Champions League. I have said it openly for a long time. We want to be competing to win titles.
"We are in the semi-finals of the FA Cup. We want to be in those kinds of situations. The players need to be part of that, clearly and we need ambitious players."
Martinez insists that even if Lukaku does leave, Everton have the financial muscle to replace him in the summer transfer market.
"What we shouldn't be afraid of is losing players," he said. "We are in a position where financially we can compete with anyone in the world - things have changed radically in that respect.
"At this present time it doesn't really bother me what the individual situations will be in the summer.
"The reality is to play for Everton has to be an honour and a privilege. The only thing that matters now is the team's future. I'm looking at the talking he does on the pitch and the way he has been growing in confidence this season - that is all that matters."
