Chelsea target Romelu Lukaku told to 'be ready' for start of Everton's Premier League season by Erwin Koeman

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Sam Long1 August 2016

Everton assistant manager Erwin Koeman has told Chelsea target Romelu Lukaku to "be ready" for the club's opening game of the Premier League season.

Lukaku has been strongly linked with a move away from Goodison Park this summer and Standard Sport understands the Merseysiders are locked in negotiations with Chelsea.

The Blues have already had one bid of £57m rejected, with Everton demanding £75m for the Belgium international, who scored 18 Premier League goals last season.

Ongoing uncertainty surrounding Lukaku's future has threatened to overshadow Everton pre-season preparations, which will culminate in Saturday's friendly against Espanyol.

But the 23-year-old, who returned to training later than some of his teammates after being involved at Euro 2016, still needs to be ready if he is needed against Spurs on August 13.

"Of course you have some players who start late. It takes time but we know in two weeks we have to perform," Erwin Koeman told the Daily Mail.

"It’s all about the individual. Does he understand or does he not understand? Football is not so difficult in my view.

"We can talk about a lot of things but in two weeks the League starts and we have to be ready. There is no excuse for that."

Standard Sport understands Chelsea are prepared to pay up to £67m for Lukaku's services and are aiming to complete the deal before the Premier League season begins.

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