Romelu Lukaku: Everton striker to sell Molenbeek apartment 'as soon as possible' with Brussels on high alert

Lukaku has owned an apartment in the notorious neighbourhood for six years

Romelu Lukaku heads in his first and Everton's second (Reuters)

Everton striker Romelu Lukaku has revealed that he will try and sell an apartment he owns in the Molenbeek neighbourhood of Brussels "as soon as possible".

Lukaku, who scored his ninth Premier League goal of the season in the 4-0 win against Aston Villa on Saturday, has owned a property there for six years, but Molenbeek has become notorious in recent years as a breeding ground for terrorism, according to some newspaper reports.

At least one of the eight reponsible for the Paris attacks, Salah Abdeslam, was hiding in the area and had his house raided by armed police, while Abdelhamid Abaaoud, who lived in Molenbeek, led the planning of the attacks that left 130 dead.

The Belgian government has revealed that a major terrorist attack is being planned and could be imminent. Armed troops are currently patrolling the streets of Brussels with the terror alert raised to the highest rating.

Lukaku now wants to sell his apartment as quickly as he can.

"I live in Brussels and I live where the police are doing a lot of things," said the 22-year-old. "I live in Molenbeek. I have had an apartment there for six years now and it is a nice neighbourhood.

"It is calm. But with the things happening there now it is a bit difficult. I never saw any trouble. But now we are going to move as soon as possible.


 Brussels remains on highest alert of an imminent terror attack
 (Getty Images)

"From the national team 30-40 players come from Brussels and a few others from Molenbeek. It has been a shock because at the moment the safety is the highest level of security.

"All of my family are over here. My brother doesn't live in Brussels any more. Obviously we will try to move as soon as possible.

"You just want your family to be safe."