Everton May Have Identified Their Replacement For Romelu Lukaku

Going into the summer transfer window, Romelu Lukaku's future at Everton is very much still up in the air.

After rejecting a new deal at Everton and commenting about his desire to play at a higher level, the Belgian has been a constant source of speculation, with many believing that he will move on from Everton in the summer.

Image: PA

The two most likely destinations are of course Manchester United, where he would link up with the man who sold him from Chelsea in Jose Mourinho, and Chelsea - where Lukaku would return to the club where he ultimately failed to make the grade.

Last month, The Sun's Martin Lipton reported that Lukaku was torn between moving to United or Chelsea, which prompted Lukaku to respond with two Tweets, calling the media "annoying" and asking them to stay out of his business.

Given his pivotal importance to the team, as demonstrated by his 26 goals in all competitions last season, Everton will not Lukaku leave on the cheap and in team interested in his services will no doubt have to cough up big bucks - potentially in the region of £100 million.

If Lukaku does indeed leave, he will inevitably take some replacement, and there's word from the Express on just who that replacement may be.

According to the report, Everton will weigh up a move for Leicester City's Jamie Vardy if their prize asset Lukaku does depart Goodison Park in the summer transfer window.

Image: PA

Last season Vardy initially struggled to replicate his title-winning heroics under Claudio Ranieri, before finishing the season strongly under Craig Shakespeare, ending the season with 15 goals and playing a central role in the Foxes reaching the Champions League quarter finals.

There is a link at Everton, as well, as Steve Walsh, Director of football at the Toffees, spotted him playing at Fleetwood Town in Non-League when working for Leicester and brought him to the King Power Stadium for a reported fee of £1.7 million.

Following his meteoric rise to a record-breaker, title-winner and England regular since then, one would imagine that Vardy would command a much bigger fee if he was to leave Leicester.

Image: PA

Everton fans, would you take Vardy as a replacement for Lukaku if he does leave or should you be aiming high with targets?

Sound off in the comments section below.

Topics: jamie vardy, Romelu Lukaku, Everton

Josh Lawless

Josh is a writer who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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