Transfer Centre

Neville Southall expects Romelu Lukaku departure

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 17 November 2016

Former Everton goalkeeper Neville Southall expects Romelu Lukaku to leave Goodison Park for a Premier League rival, rather than seek a move abroad.

Former Everton goalkeeper Neville Southall has claimed that he expects Romelu Lukaku to leave Goodison Park, but warns the striker about making the move to either Barcelona or Real Madrid.

Lukaku stayed on Merseyside despite a host of summer speculation and after a slow start to the campaign, the 23-year-old has netted seven times in 11 appearances this term.

The forward continues to be linked with a move away from Everton, however, and Southall can see the Belgian international joining a Premier League rival rather than trying his hand abroad.

"Football is football – one week he is going, the next he's not. Overall he has stayed and somebody is going to have to put their hand in their pocket if they want him. There have been bids that have been rejected for him, but there haven't been millions of them," Southall told Goal.com.

"Would he get in at Barcelona? I'm not sure. I don't think so. Would he get in at Madrid? I don't think so. For me, he can only go to another Premier League team. When you look at other Premier League teams, you are looking at Chelsea – they are a decent side. Manchester City, they are quality. Arsenal, I don't think he's their type and they won't pay that money. Then you have got Man United, who are in the process of rebuilding.

"He's probably better off staying where he is and sticking with it. But he seems to think there is something else on the horizon and if somebody is continuously looking over their shoulder, then eventually they will go."

Lukaku has netted 68 times in 138 appearances for Everton and has hit double figures in two of his last three seasons with the Merseyside outfit.