Martinez: £50m for Barkley? United can forget it, that wouldn't even get him on loan

By John Edwards

Published: 05:27 EDT, 31 December 2013 | Updated: 07:14 EDT, 31 December 2013

Roberto Martinez laughed off reports of an imminent £50million Manchester United bid for Ross Barkley and told them: ‘You wouldn’t even get him on loan for that.’

Barkley’s stunning impact in his first full season at the heart of Everton’s midfield has alerted David Moyes and sent him soaring to the top of the United manager’s hit list for the January transfer window.

But when it was put to Martinez that a £50million offer could be heading his way when the window opens, the Everton boss said: ‘How much? 50? No, I’m sorry, we won’t be letting him go out on loan!’

Promising talent: Everton's Ross Barkley (right) has emerged as one of the country's best young midfielders

As a further blow to Moyes’ hopes of launching another audacious raid on his old club, after signing Marouane Fellaini on deadline-day at the start of the season, Martinez insisted Everton were no longer susceptible to big-money bids and were on a sound enough financial footing to dictate whether players stay or go.

‘If you have to bring money in, you can get a bit anxious when you read about interest in your players, but that is not the case here,’ he said. ‘We are in a strong position financially, so it is not an irritation or worry to see this sort of speculation.

‘The financial stability we have at this club now means we can make footballing decisions, based on what is best for us on the pitch, and that is what will happen in the January window. We are looking to bring in one or two new faces, and I can guarantee you we will be stronger for the second half of the season.

Good form: Ross Barkley's influence has been key in Everton's fine start to the 2013/2014 season

‘It is a real compliment when other clubs are looking at your players, because it means they – and the team as a whole – are doing the right things. But I am confident we can resist any bid that comes in. Absolutely I am. There is not even a doubt about that. We have done that before and we can do it again, and I have no concerns whatsoever about Ross’ head being turned by all the attention he is getting.

‘He was born to be on a football pitch, and the time he spent out injured earlier in his career helped him mature a lot and not take anything for granted.

'I repeat, any decisions in the January window will be based on football, not finance, and will be made to improve us as a team and a squad. I can guarantee that 100 per cent.’

Club building: Roberto Martinez has made a surprisingly good start at Everton since succeeding David Moyes

Talent spotter: Manchester United manager David Moyes hopes to strengthen his midfield in January

Big-money move: Everton now appear a stronger side after Marouane Fellaini's transfer to United