The latest developments surrounding Everton striker Romelu Lukaku’s contract extension has been quite controversial, to say the least. After his agent, Mino Raiola claimed to be “99.9999 percent” sure that the player was willing to stay with the club, Lukaku took everyone by surprise by blatantly refusing any such occurrence, when he was asked about it following Everton’s win over West Bromwich Albion last weekend.
Manager Ronald Koeman wants his star striker to sign a five-year deal with the club, with still two years remaining on his contract, but the club’s proceedings have made it complicated. Everton have refused to include a buy-out clause in his contract worth under £90million as the Merseyside club doesn’t want to make it easy for any top club in Europe to sign him.
While Lukaku’s refusal has been read by many as a joke as the 23-year-old was smiling as he answered them, the club’s attempt to limit his movement out for bigger opportunities could be an influential factor in his indecision to stay at Goodison Park.
In case, the Belgium international leaves, which is increasingly possible given the stagnancy of the situation, here are 3 strikers Everton could replace Lukaku with-
Pieros Sotiriou- The APOEL Nicosia striker has been on Everton’s shopping list for long now. The 24-year-old Cyprus international has been in tremendous form this season and could be a brilliant addition to Everton given his efficiency in front of the goal. He has now scored 21 goals in 37 appearances for Nicosia in all competitions. A centre-forward by nature, Sotiriou is devastating in and around the D-box. Although he doesn’t share the similar offensive attributes as Lukaku, he will bring a different attacking dimension to the side.
Dries Mertens- Another goal machine, the 29-year-old has been unstoppable in the Serie A this season playing for Napoli. He has netted 23 goals in 34 outings in all competitions and was the only scorer for Napoli in both the legs against Real Madrid in their Champions League last round. Primarily a winger, Mertens can adapt to the centre-forward’s role with relative ease and can score goals for fun.
Mario Mandzukic- Now, here is a forward quite similar to Romelu Lukaku in his approach and size, and who is even more productive in scoring. Getting him, however, might need little more than just money and Everton’s qualification in Europa League can do the trick. Although he has appeared 25 times for defending Serie A champions, Juventus, he has fallen down the pecking order to Gonzalo Higuain and Paulo Dybala; and could be ready to make a move to Everton if European prospect is in sight.
