Lukaku's time with Everton could be coming to an end

Romelu Lukaku is set to leave Everton after telling the Toffees that he will not sign a new contract.

The Belgian striker insists that he remains set on playing Champions League football next season and will leave Goodison Park to do so.

Mino Raiola, the 23-year-old's agent, has repeatedly insisted Lukaku would put pen to paper on lucrative new terms soon, which would have made him the top earner in the club's history, report the Liverpool Echo.

But over the weekend it became clear the Belgium international was in fact not as close to an agreement as had been believed.

After Saturday's 3-0 win over West Brom he told French TV that signing a new deal was not on his mind.

Now it has emerged that Lukaku, the Premier League's joint top goalscorer, has decided his future lies away from Goodison Park and won't commit to a new five-year contract.

With two years remaining on his current deal Lukaku now appears intent on moving on this summer.

It is understood that Lukaku's decision, which will surprise the Blues board who believed they could finalise negotiations this week, is not about money.

Lukaku, who is the Toffees' top goal scorer in the Premier League era, wants to test himself among Europe's elite at the nearest opportunity.

Everton are hopeful of qualifying for next season's Europa League and have ambitions to target a top four push next term with Farhad Moshiri's assistance.

But those aims are unlikely to sway the Belgian international from seeking a move in the summer.