Belgium international striker Romelu Lukaku has insisted Chelsea will determine his long-term future at the end of the season.
Lukaku, 20, joined Chelsea from Belgian Pro League giants R.S.C. Anderlecht in a deal worth up to €20 million, including add-ons and bonuses, in August 2011.
Since arriving in West London, the imposing 6 ft 3 in front-man has struggled to establish himself as a first-team regular, having been sent out loan to West Bromwich Albion and Everton over the past two seasons.
A successful loan spell at West Brom last season fueled speculation suggesting Lukaku could leapfrog Demba Ba and Fernando Torres in the strike pecking order at Stamford Bridge.
However, shortly after the Belgian missed a penalty against Bayern Munich in the UEFA Super Cup on 30 August, Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho decided to loan him to Everton for the rest of the season.
In addition, Mourinho’s public pursuit of Wayne Rooney last summer may have signaled his faith — or lack thereof — in Lukaku, who is now expected to be sold by Chelsea when the transfer window re-opens in the summer.
“We’ll see at the end of the season,” said Lukaku regarding his long-term future. “I’m focusing on my performances at Everton.
“I still have a contract until 2016 at Chelsea and I think they’re happy about the way I’m developing.
“They have the last word, so we shall see what’s happening next.”
Lukaku, who has bagged 13 goals and six assists in 29 English Premier League appearances for Everton this season, has also revealed he wants to add to his game next term.
“Next season I hope to make more of my qualities,” added Lukaku. “I try to adapt to my position. If I want to be a complete striker, I have to get through this.
“It’s a new step. If a manager asks me to play as a target-man in the future, I’m able to do it. In that way, I can become very unpredictable.”
With compatriot Christian Benteke set to miss the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil with a serious achilles injury, Lukaku will lead the line for a talented Belgium side, priced at 20/1 to win the competition.
Kagawa would be welcome at Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund centre-back Mats Hummels has revealed Manchester United midfielder Shinji Kagawa would be welcomed back at the club.
Kagawa left Dortmund for United in the summer of 2012 and was one of a number of players who have had poor 2013/14 campaigns for the Red Devils.
The Japan international, 25, has been linked with a return to BVB in the summer, with Hummels admitting the club would be happy to welcome back the 25-year-old.
“We would take him with open arms, of course,” Hummels told Kicker.
“Having an offensive line with [Marco] Reus, [Henrikh] Mkhitaryan and Kagawa would certainly be stylish.
“But I would not say anything about the other great players we have playing for us. The attacking midfield is probably the best part of our team without Shinji.”
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