Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has played down reports linking Romelu Lukaku, who is on loan with Everton FC, with a permanent move to Goodison Park or a switch to Tottenham Hotspur.
A Telegraph report suggests the big Belgian striker- valued at £25m by the ‘Blues’- could seal a deal with Spurs in the summer as contract talks between his agent and the White Hart Lane club are thought to be in progress.
But Mourinho said at his media conference ahead of Saturday’s visit of Stoke City there has been no approach for Lukaku.
“Have we had any approaches? No,” Mourinho said. “I don’t think it’s the time to speak about it.”
Everton’s push for an European Champions League slot- with just four points separating them and fourth-placed Arsenal and having played a game less- is considered a determinant concerning the 20-year-old’s chances of remaining at the Merseyside club.
Nonetheless the huge price tag on the striker, who has scored 13 goals in 26 games is believed will fend off the Toffees’ interest.
Mourinho added: “He’s a Chelsea player, but at the same time he’s an Everton player until the end of the season. We want to respect that. Everton are a good club for a loan. Our player is there and our player is playing.
“He is developing and that’s what you expect. With Lukaku and Everton the loan is working well. Working for Everton, for Lukaku and Chelsea.”
The Portuguese boss also confirmed Fernando Torres has a future at Chelsea, despite leaving the Spanish striker out of his starting eleven for Wednesday’s Champions League quarter-finals last-8 first leg 3-1 loss to Paris St-Germain (PSG).
“Yes, he (Torres) has a future,” Mourinho said. “He’s contracted and a good professional. He works hard for the team and brings things to the team.
The 30-year-old ex-Atletico Madrid striker has scored nine goals in 33 appearances this season.
Mourinho expressed dissatisfaction with his striking options after the loss at the Parc de Princes Stadium and now insists he wants more goal from Torres.
“Obviously we want him to score more goals, obviously he wants to score more goals. It’s not just me that wants that,” he stressed.
Torres has scored 44 goals in 164 games since joining Chelsea from Liverpool for £50m in January 2011.
