Ronald Koeman's comments on Romelu Lukaku were 'taken out of context', says Everton owner

Farhad Moshiri has leapt to the defence of the Toffees boss following his frank verdict over the Belgian's future

Romelu Lukaku celebrates putting Everton ahead against Manchester City earlier this season (Getty)

Farhad Moshiri claims Ronald Koeman’s comments over the future of Romelu Lukaku have been ‘taken out of context’ and that the Dutchman was merely saying the striker was good enough to play for a bigger club.

The Everton manager has worried Toffees fans with his remarks which insinuated that the powerful centre forward would regret not moving to a top European club, if he decided to stay at Goodison Park for longer than he should.

Koeman told Belgian news company HLN.be: “His potential is greater and higher than Everton as a final destination.

“If Romelu was to play at Everton until the end of his career I know he has left something behind.

“I gave him confidence and he has himself recognised that it was good for his development to play another year at Everton. What after this season comes, no-one knows.”

These comments have come as a surprise to many given the club's refusal to sell the Belgium international back to Chelsea, his former club, this summer.

Moshiri, however, believes that the Koeman’s comments were simply misunderstood. “It has been taken out of context,” he said in an interview with talkSPORT’s Jim White.

“Ronald Koeman said he believes Romelu will develop into one of the best strikers in the world in the next two to three years and wouldn’t be out of place at his old club, Barcelona. It is just player-coach talk.”

Lukaku, who has scored seven goals already for Everton this season, is also subject to interest from Paris Saint Germain as Unai Emery is reportedly a big admirer of the 23-year-old.

The former Chelsea frontman has three years left on his current deal at Goodison Park and Everton could be forced into offering him a new contract to scare off potential suitors.