Former Everton midfielder Leon Osman believes striker Romelu Lukaku can get Champions League football at the club if he remains patient.
The Premier League's top goalscorer has reportedly refused to sign a new contract and says he wants to play in Europe's top club competition.
Speaking to Sky Sports News, Osman says his former team-mate might be in for a bit of a surprise if he leaves Goodison Park for a team that isn't necessarily set up to get the best out of him.
"He will one day play for one of the top clubs in Europe. Whether he needs to do that at the moment as an Evertonian I am not so sure," he said.
"Everton are set up to get the best out of Romelu Lukaku and they play to get him goals and running where he wants to be. I am not sure how many teams are out there that would be similar.
"Would they adapt to suit him and get the best out of him or would he have to change his game slightly?"
Everton sit 7th in this season's Premier League, six points behind fourth placed Liverpool before both sides go head to head in the Merseyside derby on Saturday.
Lukaku is the Premier League top scorer this season, having netted 21 league goals, including one hat-trick against Sunderland and a four goal haul against Bournemouth.
The midfielder has also backed Ireland captain and Everton right back Seamus Coleman to return to his best after suffering a broken leg on international duty against Wales last Friday night.
Speaking to the Everton website, he said: "I’m absolutely gutted for him. I wish him all the best and a speedy recovery. Knowing him, though, he’ll come back better, fitter and stronger. That’s the type of character he is."
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