Romelu Lukaku certainly knows how to throw a spanner in the works of Ronald Koeman's project at Everton.

After all the rumours linking him with Chelsea last summer, it finally appeared as if the Belgian was ready to commit his future to the Toffees.

Such has been his importance for the club this season that he recently became their highest ever goalscorer in the Premier League, surpassing Duncan Ferguson.

Despite being the focal point of Koeman's side, Everton fans' adoration of the 23-year-old is still a little reserved, as they're understandably cautious of the fact that he might up sticks and leave at any given opportunity.

The Telegraph reported yesterday that the striker had turned down a contract worth £140,000 a week.

It would have made him their highest-paid player of all time, and his rejection of those terms makes it look all the more likely he'll head for more lucrative pastures come the summer.

For Everton, this is devastating news.

Carragher responds brilliantly 

Super-agent Mino Raiola, who seems to be at the heart of some of the most frustrating and protracted dealings of top clubs, had previously said that a deal was "99.9% done". Talk about giving them false hope.

Jamie Carragher, on the other hand, appears to find it rather funny. The former Liverpool centre-back recently met up with Lukaku and is loving the way he's messed Everton about.

Less than a year ago, Lukaku said he had "unfinished business" at Chelsea, per the Mirror. That certainly doesn't bode well for Everton's hopes of keeping him, and neither does the fact that he could be on his way to winning the Golden Boot.

The forward has 19 Premier League goals this term, which puts him level with Harry Kane - but the Tottenham man is likely to miss a huge chunk of the business end of the season after suffering ankle ligament damage against Millwall.

The only real deterrent to Roman Abramovich will be the price tag involved. In the summer, Everton wanted £60million, and that fee is unlikely to have gone down.

As for the Toffees, majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri is still confident that Lukaku will eventually put pen to paper.

“It’s not an issue," he told talkSport.

“The club is confident with the strong relationship it has with the player and the agent.

“He has two-and-a-half years left on his contract and the new, improved contract is recognition of what he’s done for the club.

“No-one should worry, he is our player.”

Should Lukaku stay at Everton? Have your say in the comments.