Roberto Martinez: £50m only enough for Ross Barkley loan

Roberto Martinez has responded to reports Manchester United could be set for a £50m bid for Ross Barkley by insisting it would only be enough to sign the youngster on loan.

Barkley has been one of the shining stars in Everton’s flying start to the season, attracting attention from across the Premier League.

Manchester United and Chelsea have both been linked with moves for the 20-year-old midfielder in January, but Toffees boss Martinez has categorically ruled out selling the England international.

‘Fifty million? We wouldn’t let anyone out on loan in January,’ Martinez joked. ‘We are in a strong position financially.

‘When you have to bring in money, then it can be a real difficult position as you can be anxious and frustrated.

‘When you have to make financial decisions the squad will not benefit but when you make football decisions then you are in a strong position.

‘If we can, we are going to add a couple of new faces and make sure we are stronger when the window closes.’

And Martinez also believes his side can resist again resist United’s advances for left-back Leighton Baines, who was targeted by David Moyes over the summer, as well as Barkley.

‘I have said many times that in football you can’t fight the trend of the game – but what you can dictate is the timing and everything you do should be for the good of the club,’ he added.

‘Everything that happens needs to be done in order to improve the squad, to give it a longer-term benefit. It has to be a football decision. I can guarantee that will be the case in January 100%.’

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Martinez : Baines is not for sale

Roberto Martinez has reiterated Everton's desire to keep hold of England left-back Leighton Baines.

Baines was the subject of a rejected bid from Manchester United during the summer and with the January transfer window approaching, the 29-year-old’s future is set to come under scrutiny again.

However, Martinez insists Everton do not need to sell and are under no pressure to raise funds, while he also revealed that the club have yet to enter negotiations over a new deal for the defender.

If I want a player I need to match the valuation to then put the other club and the player in a situation to make a decision," the Spaniard told the Sunday Mirror.

"We have never been in a situation where the valuation has been matched with Leighton.

"We don't want to sell Leighton. When you are in a position when you have to bring money then you are relying on what you can sell. We are not in that position.

"As a club we don't need the money. We don't need to balance the books and that is a situation we wanted to have - to make football decisions, not financial decisions.

"We're not in talks with him about a deal. We don't have to say it publicly but nobody is for sale."

Martinez, who succeeded current United boss David Moyes at Goodison Park, has been hailed by midfielder Steven Pienaar for placing trust in Everton's players.

The Toffees sit fifth in the Premier League having lost just once this season and Pienaar is delighted to see Martinez’s style of play reaping rewards.

"This season we've been more patient. His [Martinez's] philosophy is if you keep the ball, you're not going to work as hard as the other team," said the South African.

"The trust the manager has in his players is unbelievable. He wants us to go out there and dominate a game. It takes a lot of courage and hard work. To keep the ball is not only passing – you have to move, you have to be fit.

"He came in and told us, 'Listen, you have to get over your fears now – just go out and enjoy the game'. He is so positive and it carries over to the team and makes us more relaxed."

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