Everton manager Ronald Koeman was right to suggest that Romelu Lukaku needs to leave the club to fulfil his potential, according to two Toffees supporters' groups.

The Dutchman appeared to claim to HLN that the Belgian striker has potential "greater and higher" than the Merseyside outfit, citing Barcelona as a possible destination.

Dave Kelly, chairman of supporters' group Blue Union, said: "He should have ambition. Why should Romelu Lukaku have any responsibility to stay at Everton? He's not an Evertonian.

"I would love him to stay, but every player has his price. It's unfortunate that more of our players are not getting looked at by the European leagues.

"There needs to be a statement of intent from our owner, that if clubs want to buy our players it will be on our terms and for top dollar."

George McKane, a founding member of the Everton Supporters' Trust, believes that Koeman is acting in Everton's best interests.

He told BBC Sport: "It makes a pleasant change for someone to tell the truth. What he's saying is what a lot of Evertonians are thinking."

Lukaku has scored 50 Premier League goals for Everton since his permanent move to Goodison Park from Chelsea in 2014.