Everton striker Romelu Lukaku destined to join Bayern Munich or Manchester United

Romelu Lukaku will leave Everton before the summer's European Championships and is likely to join either Bayern Munich or Manchester United for around £65m [$94.85m], according to the player's father. Only Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane, Sergio Aguero of Manchester City and Leicester City hitman Jamie Vardy scored more Premier League goals than Lukaku this season, with the Belgium international netting 18 times during a campaign filled with rumours over his future.

A link-up with infamous football agent Mino Raiola, who also represents much-travelled Sweden forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Liverpool outcast Mario Balotelli, has led to frenzied speculation regarding the 23-year-old with both United and Chelsea heavily linked with a move for the player. Lukaku has regularly stated he wishes to test himself in the Champions League and the chances of him leaving have swelled following the dismissal of manager Roberto Martinez after the Toffees finished 11<sup>th in the league.

Lukaku's father has breathed new life into speculation regarding his son by suggesting a deal to take him to either Bayern or United will be completed prior to the start of Euro 2016, which kicks off on 10 June. Roger Lukaku would prefer he moved to the Bavarian giants, whose pedigree in the Champions League would suit his demands.

"Everton are asking around £65m for Rom," he told Belgium magazine Humo. "I think a transfer will be done before the Euros. Romelu will decide his future, but agents have the last word most of the time. I hope and I think Mino Raiola is an honest man, and that he is acting in the best interest of the player. Now, with Romelu it will be quickly arranged. Has the transfer has been sorted? Almost. I think it will be in place before the European Championship.

"Right now, I think the most suitable clubs for him are Bayern Munich or Manchester United. Especially Bayern as the club every year are at least in the semi-finals of the Champions League, and the Bundesliga suits him perfectly. He won't go to Italy, because they keep it closed at the back, too difficult for an attacker. What is certain, to continue to make progress, he needs to change clubs, but we are mainly engaged in making the right choice."

Lukaku will join up with his Belgium teammates in Flanders on Thursday [18 May] ahead of their three warm-up games prior to Euro 2016. Marc Wimots' side take on Switzerland in Geneva on 28 May, before facing Finland [1 June] and Norway [5 June] back on home turf, ahead of the start of their tournament campaign which begins against Italy on 13 June. The schedule ensures Lukaku will be available should he need to undergo a medical with either United or Bayern – who are likely to both be alerted by this latest revelation.