Roberto Martinez says no star names leaving Everton in January
Friday 25 March 2016 11:29, UK
Everton manager Roberto Martinez says none of his star players will be leaving during the transfer window.
Kevin Mirallas and Romelu Lukaku have been reportedly linked with moves away from Goodison Park on the back of some fine recent displays, but Martinez says talk of any deals is a "waste of time".
"Mirallas is not going anywhere," said Martinez. "He is a very important player, a red card (at Swansea) and injuries earlier in season stopped his continuity, but against Chelsea on Saturday was his best performance of season.
"Rom's [Lukaku] only interest is his next target, whatever the speculation, the talk is all positive. Champions League football and Everton go hand in hand, it's a shared view and that's what we all want.
"I think it has been a fantastic journey in the last 13 months, you have seen an evolution in his play that is quite magnificent.
"You are looking at Romelu Lukaku on the verge of getting 100 games for Everton in all competitions. For a 22-year-old that is an incredible landmark.
"Nobody's going, none of our players who have been performing well will be leaving in January. That's the end of the matter. It's not a window where we bring instability to the club.
"The speculation, whatever the talk is from outside, is all positive. You don't get that kind of reaction if you're not playing well, if you are not attracting interest.
"We are not even going to consider losing any of our players. Talk of players leaving in January is a waste of time."
Martinez admitted last week that Steven Naismith, who has moved to Norwich City, was one of three players set to leave Goodison Park along with Aiden McGeady and Darron Gibson.
Everton lost out on West Ham in their attempts to sign Sam Byram from Leeds United but Martinez says there are no hard feelings.
"We acted in the correct procedures," he said. "But it was not the right move for him with the squad we have.
"We will use the window in the best way. Our squad is too large, it needs to be the right number and we want continuity."
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