Everton chief confident in new Lukaku deal: 'No one should worry'

Everton's majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri has reassured supporters that star striker Romelu Lukaku is not leaving the club any time soon.

A day after reports suggesting Lukaku had told Everton he would not sign a new contract at Goodison Park - one that would have made him the best-paid player in club history - Moshiri emphasised he is confident both parties will strike a new deal.

"It's not an issue," Moshiri told talkSPORT on Wednesday. "The club is confident with the strong relationship it has with the player and the agent. He has two-and-a-half years left on his contract, and the new, improved contract is recognition of what he's done for the club.

"No one should worry. He is our player."

Talks over a new long-term agreement have been ongoing since August, according to the Guardian's Andy Hunter. The negotiation process was going so well that agent Mino Raiola offered in December a deal for his client was "99.9 percent" complete.

But Tuesday's revelation seemed to indicate a change of heart, and sent rumours of a move to Chelsea or Manchester United back into the mill.

The 23-year-old has made it clear he wants to play Champions League football, and with Everton eight points behind the last qualification berth, there is fear on Merseyside he will find a club that can scratch his competitive itch.

Lukaku is currently enjoying one of his best seasons as a Premier League striker, and recently set Everton's all-time scoring record in the domestic competition with his 61st and 62nd goals over the past two weeks.