Lukaku tipped to stay at Anderlecht

Highly rated Anderlecht youngster Romelu Lukaku is set to commit his immediate future to the Belgian champions.

Lukaku emerged as one of Europe’s brightest prospects last season at the age of 16, scoring 15 league goals to help Anderlecht claim the Belgian First Division title.

Now 17, Lukaku has been linked with a number of the continent’s biggest clubs, including Chelsea, Manchester United and Real Madrid, with a bidding war tipped to erupt in the January transfer window.

But in a press conference scheduled for Thursday, the teenager – who has 13 goals already this season – is expected to announce that he will be staying with Anderlecht, at least until the end of the season.

His teammate, goalkeeper Silvio Proto, believes it is inevitable that the club’s hottest prospect will eventually depart for the biggest stage.

“It is obviously for Romelu to decide how long he stays with us, but I hope I can play with him for as long as possible,” Proto told the BBC.

“At some point he will probably have to move because of his incredible talent.”

“I must say, he is simply brilliant, both as a human being and as a footballer. Romelu is an intelligent person and he is very well advised by his parents and the club.”

“If he continues as he has been doing, he will reach the top level of international football. I am sure he will succeed because he has the will and the talent.”

“He never talks about the rumours. We joke about it in the dressing room, but he focuses only on two things: his school work and his football.”

“There is a lot of attention on him, but the club helps him with that. He is protected by our media manager and the social manager who organises his schoolwork, which enables him to concentrate on the important things.”