Everton manager Ronald Koeman has confirmed that striker Romelu Lukaku has informed him of his intention to remain at the club.

The Belgium forward, who came on as a first-half substitute during Everton's 2-1 Premier League victory at West Brom on Saturday, has been heavily linked with a move away from Goodison Park after netting 25 goals in all competitions last season, with former club Chelsea reportedly interested in taking him back to Stamford Bridge.

However, it would now appear that the player is in no rush to leave Merseyside and looks set to remain with Everton for the coming campaign, with Koeman commenting on the striker's situation following the victory at The Hawthorns.

"He told me yesterday that he made the decision by himself to stay for at least one more season," said Koeman, who also added that a new, improved contract for Lukaku was also a possibility. "It's great news for everybody."

Following a fantastic loan spell at Everton during Roberto Martinez's first season at Goodison Park, Lukaku arrived permanently from Chelsea in July 2014 for a club-record fee of £28million, going on to amass 20 goals in an injury hit campaign.

After following that up with an even better haul last term, the 23-year-old appeared to be engineering a move away, claiming that he would only speak to the club "out of courtesy" on his return from the European Championship, but it appears that he has had a change of heart, with Everton's price-tag, reported to be in the region of £70million, seemingly having put off potential suitors.

The news comes as a real boost for Everton, who sold John Stones to Manchester City on the eve of the new season, though they have been busy in the transfer market themselves this window, bringing in Maarten Stekelenburg, Idrissa Gueye, Ashley Williams and Yannick Bolasie.