Ronald Koeman has made plans with or without Romelu Lukaku

Ronald Koeman has made plans for life with or without Romelu Lukaku

• Everton manager accepts striker’s future remains uncertain
• Koeman: ‘We know there is a lot of interest in him, he is a good player’

Ronald Koeman admits he is uncertain about Romelu Lukaku’s future at Everton and has made one plan with and one plan without the striker, who continues to be linked with a return to Chelsea.

Everton have yet to receive a suitable bid for the 23-year-old and are not encouraging one but Koeman accepts the situation will remain fluid until the transfer window closes. Lukaku looks set to return to the Everton squad for their match at West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.

“We know there’s a lot of interest in him,” Koeman said. “He’s a good player and ultimately if a big team want to spend a lot of money, you can’t really win. I had the same story in Southampton but that big bid was not on the table and here now there is no big bid on the table. I have two plans, one is with Lukaku and one is without Lukaku. I prepare myself for both yes and no and now we need to wait two more weeks.”

Koeman said the Belgian international had not been distracted and that he has no problems with the player, who is recovering from a cut to his heel sustained in Everton’s final pre-season fixture. “I don’t have any doubts about the player’s commitment,” he said.

“I don’t really have a single reason to doubt this because the boy is working hard. He is trying to do the maximum to be fit for the team. What happens in the future, we will see. If you work in football, don’t be surprised.”

Koeman went on to confirm he had names in mind should Lukaku move on. “Yes of course,” he said, “because if not that’s not good. I would be disappointed if Lukaku left late in the window but that’s football. We know that happens. The problem is the transfer window, that’s what we need to change.”

Koeman is interested in strengthening his forward line whether Lukaku leaves the club or not. “I think we can use one more in that position,” he said.

Everton have already sold John Stones this summer, the centre-half departing to Manchester City for a British record fee for a defender of £47.5m.

They replaced him with Swansea’s Ashley Williams and have also added the Aston Villa defensive midfielder Idrissa Gueye and the Fulham goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg, while Yannick Bolasie completed a £28m move to Goodison Park from Crystal Palace this week. They continue to be linked with a loan move for the City goalkeeper Joe Hart.

Guardian