Everton’s January link with Napoli striker is latest Lukaku exit hint

Everton’s January link with Napoli striker is latest Lukaku exit hint

      Things have gone very sour for Everton lately, so the news that Toffees could sign Napoli’s Manolo Gabbiadini in January can only be a positive. But it also means Romelu Lukaku is nearing the Goodison Park exit. The bookies make it just 5/2 that Gabbiadini joins Ronald Koeman’s side next month. And while that would give the Dutchman greater options upfront in the second half of the season, plenty judge the potential deal as the latest sign that Everton are preparing for life without Lukaku.

      The Belgian has been linked with a move away from Merseyside for the large duration of his time with Everton, but the Toffees’ recent struggles have only heightened the speculation. After underperforming to finish 11^th last term, things look good this time around after new boss Ronald Koeman led the blue half of Merseyside to their best ever Premier League start. But with one win in the last nine league games, Everton’s hopes of challenging for a top-six spot look slim.

      PSG continue to be linked with a summer move, while a return to Chelsea is seemingly the most likely English destination. Everton won’t be short of suitors willing to stump up over £60m for the 23-year-old. And if the Toffees can’t improve their league form soon, then Lukaku’s departure looks inevitable.

      At 6ft 1in, Gabbiadini certainly shares numerous physical attributes with Lukaku, but it seems increasingly like that the Italian is to be signed as a successor rather than a team-mate. Everton will be hoping to kick-start their season on Saturday when they head to Watford, and the bookies make them 13/10 favourites for a much-needed win at Vicarage Road.

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