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A difference in buyout clause valuations is believed to be holding up Romelu Lukaku’s Everton contract.

Just days after Lukaku’s agent, Mino Raiola, said he was “99.9999 per cent” sure his client would commit to a new long term agreement, Lukaku told a Belgian website on Saturday there was no agreement and he was not thinking about signing.

Sources now claim that Everton will not agree to a buy out clause worth between £60m and £70m - a figure which both Chelsea and Manchester United would be prepared to pay this summer.

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The Blues are holding out for a valuation closer to £90m - which would mean any potential suitor having to break the world record to sign the Premier League’s current top scorer.

Everton have played hardball in the past on outgoing transfers, receiving £47.5m for John Stones and £24m for Joleon Lescott when they wanted to join Manchester City, and £27.5m for Marouane Fellaini who moved to Manchester United.

United have made Atletico Madrid star Antoine Griezmann their number one summer target but are reluctant to pay his full £85m release clause.

Lukaku, sold to Everton during Jose Mourinho’s tenure at Chelsea, is on a list of potential United replacements.