The Everton striker Romleu Lukaku has admitted he will sell his house in Molenbeek "as soon as possible" after the Brussels suburb became the centre of anti-terror raids by Belgian police.

Officials in Belgium said they have arrested at least 21 suspects in 24 raids since Sunday night aimed at closing down a terrorist network which authorities believe is planning an attack similar to the one which left 130 people dead in Paris 10 days ago.

Molenbeek has become the centre of investigations after authorities identified the district to the east of Brussels as a hotbed of jihadist activity in the aftermath of last week’s Paris attacks, which left 130 dead.

Lukaku, who scored twice against Aston Villa on Saturday to take his overall Premier League tally to 51, has acknowledged that he is concerned over his family’s safety.

“I live in Molenbeek, I live where the police are doing a lot of things,” he said. “I have had an apartment there for six years now and it is a nice neighbourhood. It is calm. I never saw any trouble.

“But with the things happening now, it is a bit difficult. It’s been a shock because security is at the highest level, the safety is at the highest level and now all of my family are here.

“My brother doesn’t live in Brussels any more. Obviously we will try and move as soon as possible. You just want your family to be safe.”

(Guardian service)