Romelu Lukaku has cast doubt on his Everton future by expressing a desire to play in the Champions League next season.

The Belgium striker, a £28million signing from Chelsea two summers ago, has scored 25 goals in all competitions this term.

Lukaku told Sky Sports: “I’m 23 next summer and it would be nice to play in the Champions League next season.”

That will not be possible with the Toffees, who lie 12th in the Premier League and are 13 points adrift of the top four with nine games remaining.

Lukaku's father earlier urged his son to join Manchester United — themselves currently outside the Champions League places, albeit only by a point — or Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich.

And the striker continued: “It’s my dad’s point of view, those are the teams that he likes.

“It’s good to hear. Of course, it means people are keeping an eye on you, but I have an agent who is dealing with this for me.

“I just want to be good, help my team-mates win the games and score a lot of goals.”

Roger Lukaku had told Belgium’s Het Laatste Nieuws: “I see that there is interest from Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich, Juventus, Chelsea and Manchester United.

“He’s ready. In my eyes Rom has to join Bayern or Manchester United.

"United are a team under construction with no real focus. Bayern Munich are a machine where he can rotate well. The only condition is if Robert Lewandowski leaves."

The news will come as a blow to Everton’s wealthy investor Farhad Moshiri, who announced upon his arrival that he was “committed to providing additional funds for transfers and retaining our key players”.