Everton majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri believes Ronald Koeman’s suggestion that Romelu Lukaku should leave the club was taken “out of context”.

The Toffees boss gave an interview to Belgian newspaper HLN earlier this week and suggested the forward would need to leave Goodison Park in order to fulfill his potential, believing that Barcelona would be an ideal destination for the player.

Moshiri has now insisted Koeman was merely referring to Lukaku’s quality. “It has been taken out of context,” Moshiri told talkSPORT.

“Ronald Koeman said he believes Romelu will develop into one of the best strikers in the world in the next two to three years and wouldn’t be out of place at his old club, Barcelona.

It is just player-coach talk.” Lukaku handed in a transfer request during the summer but was convinced to stay at the club by Koeman, and he has flourished on Merseyside this season, scoring seven goals in 10 Premier League appearances to date.

The Belgium international will be hoping to continue his form in the Toffees’ next match, a home game with Swansea on November 19.

Everton have failed to win any of their last five matches against Swansea but they are priced at 1.57 to buck that trend next week, while the Swans are available at 6.00 and the draw is on offer at 4.00.