Kevin Mirallas has revealed he played a helping hand in Everton’s swoop for Romelu Lukaku.
The highly-rated 20-year-old striker joined the Blues from Chelsea on a season-long loan at the end of a bustling transfer deadline day earlier this week.
Despite Lukaku being away with the Belgium national team at the time of agreeing the switch, he was offered an insight into life at Goodison Park by his compatriot Mirallas.
The Blues forward explained: “I was with Romelu in his room at the team hotel on Monday night, and I only left when I was sure he was joining us.
“I was surprised to learn we were in for him, because there had been no inkling, but once I got word, I really went to work.
“I just tried to convince him that Everton was the right step to take and he would love it at Goodison, and I’m really pleased he took it on board. With Fernando Torres, Demba Ba and Samuel Eto’o all jostling for places up front at Chelsea, and Romelu likely to be on the bench, it made sense to go out on loan again. It made even more sense to choose Everton, and I’m delighted he has.
“There is plenty of competition for places at our club, and we are looking strong, but we do need someone we can rely on for goals. We have been having trouble scoring, but I am sure Romelu is going to help in that department and make a big difference to us.
“There have been stories about Marouane leaving since June, so it is perhaps surprising it only happened on the last day. We will miss him, but you have to say he has certainly earned his dream transfer.”