It was more expensive that reported last week, but after whispers of a larger fee circulating this morning, it was apparent a deal for Romelu Lukaku would get done. Now, after Everton and Chelsea have agreed on a $47.3 million (£28 million), the big Belgian is on the move, with a five-year deal sending him back to Goodison Park.
Lukaku spent the 2013-14 season with the Toffees, scoring a team-high 15 league goals. Having scoring 17 times the previous season at West Bromwich Albion, Lukaku coming off back-to-back successes away from Stamford Bridge.
With today’s deal, Chelsea’s been able to capitalize on that production, getting a significant return on the $31.3 million they paid Anderlecht in Aug. 2011. In the process, Everton sets a club record transfer fee, topping the $27 million it paid Standard Leige for Marouane Fellaini six years ago.
“I am really excited about rejoining Everton,” Lukaku said, via Everton’s website. “I had a fantastic experience last season and a great relationship with the manager, the chairman, the staff, the players and the fans. I can’t wait to get started again and I’m looking forward to a successful season.”
It’s an optimism that’s shared by Everton manager Roberto Martínez, who banked money brought in from last year’s sales of Fellaini, Victor Anichebe, and Nikica Jelavic to make today’s deal possible.
“The arrival of Rom is more than just a signing,” Martínez explained, “it’s the fruition of a lot of hard work to get the player we wanted. This is a big moment for Everton’s history and the perfect way of getting the squad ready for the start of the season.”
“Welcoming Romelu Lukaku back to Everton on a permanent basis is the news that all Evertonians wanted to hear,” Martínez said.
It was an essential signing for the Toffees, who would have gone into the season relying on Steven Naismith had Lukaku stayed at Stamford Bridge. With the Belgian international’s return, key pieces to last year’s fifth place finish will be back this season.
For Chelsea, it’s a good day, too. The ability to flip Lukaku at significant profit is validation. Their plan of swallowing up young players, amortizing the transfer fees, and flipping the talent that doesn’t crack the senior team is developing into a source of income, one that allows a team at the edges of Financial Fair Play to remain a buyer in the transfer market.
