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Martinez resolute over star players

Boss reiterates there is no pressure to sell

Updated Roberto Martinez has restated his intention to keep hold of Marouane Fellaini and Leighton Baines amid media speculation about a renewed bid from Manchester United for the pair as the transfer deadline approaches.

The Everton boss insisted that there is no temptation to sell, particularly at the level of the low-ball £28m offer that was swiftly rejected last week, and he hinted at the disappointment felt at boardroom level by David Moyes's approach for two of the Blues' best players.

"There is no temptation [to sell]," Martinez told reporters. "In football you want to keep your best performers and that is where we are.

"You always get into a debate when there is a club that matches the valuation of a player. Then you need to make a decision. That has never been the case and where we are is we want to keep our most influential players and build from that.

"It has been well reported what the approach has been. We take it as a football compliment and move on. Now the focus has to be the games."

The Spaniard is preparing for his first competitive home game as Everton manager when West Bromwich Albion come to Goodison Park this weekend and the vultures circling for two of his best players have been an unwelcome distraction.

"I have said it time after time, it is time for the football authorities to look into the [transfer deadline] situation," he said.

"I think the window is getting out of hand and really affecting the values of the league and the human side of the players in a very unfair manner. It is about time we stopped the window or the official games in the middle of the window."

While he praised the professionalism of the two players in question, he admitted that the situation and the ongoing suggestions of an increased £35m joint offer have soured relations between Everton and United.

"[Fellaini and Baines] have been very professional," Martinez continued. "I could not be more proud of their professionalism and how they have behaved. They are two great assets and very respectful towards the club.

"They understand that we are right at the start of the season. We want to prepare and be as good as we can on the pitch."

Regarding his chairman's reaction, the 40 year-old said: "I have seen a bit of everything [from Bill Kenwright]. You need to understand that when you make a massive investment in a player and you see them emerge.

"You are going to be angry, disappointed and hurt. They are the emotions. But the chairman has always been in control of the matter. There's been a previous relationship of 11 years with a manager and he had a great relationship with the chairman so you can imagine it is extra-sensitive."

"Maybe it sounds a bit repetitive, but we do not want any bids and we are not inviting any bids," Martinez continued. "I have never seen Manchester United working in this manner before. When you want a player you just do the business quietly.

"I don't know if this is a new way of working. I don't expect a new bid. We're not in that position. There isn't an offer on the table where anyone would consider anything.

"The way it is, you are going to get clubs making bids. When a club financially needs the money, sometimes you can sell players at the value. But at Everton, believe me, we don't need to sell and we don't want to sell so that makes things very easy."

 

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