Chelsea Transfer News: Romelu Lukaku Discusses Everton Future After Exit Rumours

Everton striker Romelu Lukaku, who was linked with the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and Juventus this summer, has refused to confirm whether he would sign a new deal with the Toffees but has said he will "not quarrel" with the Merseyside outfit.

Per Greg O'Keeffe of the Liverpool Echo, the striker was recently quizzed on the possibility of a new contract at Goodison Park but gave a cagey response:

"

You'll have to ask [my agent,] Mino [Raiola].

I tell Mino how I think about it, and eventually we have to make a decision that is best for me. For me football is not about the money.

I want to win prizes. But when I get into a situation where I can leave but my team will not let me, I'm not one to go absent, get fined and cultivate a negative reputation.

I try to remain calm and treat my club with respect. Hopefully they can treat me also with respect and I can leave through the main gate.

I will not quarrel with Everton.

"

At the end of last season, the Belgian made clear his desire to play in the UEFA Champions League.

According to the Press Association (h/t MailOnline), he was a target for former club Chelsea, with the Red Devils, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich also among his suitors. But as noted by O'Keeffe, Everton staunchly refused to sell him.

Lukaku netted 25 goals in all competitions last season.

He's a crucial player for the Toffees, and despite some limitations in his game—such as his often inaccurate passing in the final third and tendency to put in anonymous performances from time to time—he would still make a strong signing for the likes of Chelsea.

The Blues recruited Michy Batshuayi over the summer instead and also managed to keep hold of Diego Costa, so they're no longer desperate for forward options but lack cover beyond the pair.

Per football writer Oli Price-Bates, Chelsea were not prepared to pay the fee Everton demanded for Lukaku:

The PA (h/t MailOnline) put that price tag at £65 million, which even in today's market is a hefty fee for a player who still has key areas of his game in need of improvement.

Lukaku evidently possesses great ambition, though, so a big-money move away from Goodison Park in the future seems somewhat inevitable, especially if he could achieve a similar goal tally to last season's haul this time around.

A feeling of unfinished business at Stamford Bridge might drive him back to the Blues if they remain interested in him, but he seemingly won't have a shortage of suitors either way.