Roberto Martinez has moved swiftly to quell renewed speculation over John Stones' future by insisting Everton's position on their coveted defender has not altered and there will be no major departures from Goodison Park in January.
Stones was subject of repeated bids from Chelsea in the summer and their interest remains. The reigning European champions, Barcelona, have also been linked with the elegant defender but Everton, who resisted bids rising to €42 million and rejected a transfer request from the 21-year-old, have no plans to weaken their squad in the forthcoming window.
Romelu Lukaku's agent, Mino Raiola, has also touted the Belgium international for a transfer, prompting links with Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain.
But Martinez said: “From our point of view the window in January will be to see if there’s anything that can help our squad. We don’t look on it as a window to be really involved whether that’s buying or selling. It’s more a matter of continuity. It’s about developing competition for places between the ones we already have.
“I’m not worried at all – our best players will not be leaving in January. We’re not in a position where we have to make financial decisions or balance the books.”
Everton, who posted a post-tax loss of €5.8 million in accounts for 2014-15, have been linked with Ron Vlaar, the former Aston Villa captain who is out of contract and currently recovering from a serious knee injury. Martinez was noncommittal on a move for the Holland international.
"Ron Vlaar has a lot of experience in the Premier League and he's not attached to any club but there is nothing to comment on," he said.
The Everton manager backed the idea of La Marseillaise being played before every Premier League game this weekend in a show of support for the victims of the Paris atrocities.
“The England-France game at Wembley was a fantastic vehicle to show solidarity and what football can do in such difficult circumstances,” said Martinez. “This weekend will be exactly the same. It will be the perfect way to show that football has a strong role to play in bringing humanity together. It will be a very important touch.”
Everton’s ex-Villa midfielder Tom Cleverley is poised to make his first-team return on Saturday from an ankle injury sustained in August.
And Martinez will make a late decision on whether Leighton Baines – who has also been troubled by an ankle problem – is ready to return.
(Guardian service)
