Romelu Lukaku should wait until the end of the season before thinking about a move, says former Everton midfielder Leon Osman

Former Everton midfielder Leon Osman has called on star striker Romelu Lukaku to focus on his football before thinking about moving to pastures new.

The Belgian international is currently the Premier League’s top scorer, with 21 goals, but hit headlines earlier this month after refusing to sign a new contract at Goodison Park.

Speaking to the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast, ex-England international Osman was full of praise for his former team-mate but urged the 23-year-old to wait until the end of the season before agitating for a move.

“He’s been in fantastic form, he’s really raised the level of his game again,” said the 35-year-old free agent.

“His finishing has improved, his right foot finishing has improved no end, and he’s been a big player for Everton this season.

“When that happens people tend to come enquiring as to your availability and you start maybe looking elsewhere.

“It would be a lot better for Everton, the players, the team and the club if he carried on playing until the end of the season and maybe had a thought about doing what he was doing after that.”

With Saturday’s Merseyside derby on the horizon Osman also weighed in on who should replace the injured Seamus Coleman.

The Republic of Ireland right back suffered a horrendous leg break, playing for his country against Wales, but Osman feels it presents an opportunity for one of Everton’s bright young talents.  

“It’s a big blow to lose Seamus. He’s a big character for Everton at the moment, on and off the field,” he said.

“He’s matured into one of the leaders in the dressing room, one of the people that the lads look to and he’ll be a big miss in that aspect, aside from his play.

“But it’s an opportunity, I feel, for young Mason Holgate who came in at the start of the season, played a couple of games and did really well and then found himself back on the substitute bench for quite a period.

“He has been patient, as you have to when you are a young lad, and when these types of opportunities come along you have to take them so this is a great one for him.”