Jack Rodwell
Manchester United have been linked with a January move for Jack Rodwell. REUTERS

David Moyes has warned Manchester United and Chelsea that Jack Rodwell is unlikely to leave Everton in January and warned the player his development would be better served if he remains at Goodison Park.

Reports on Tuesday claimed Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham were all considering £20 million offers for the highly-rated Everton star in the New Year.

However, Everton boss Moyes has dismissed rumours of a January switch to Manchester United or Chelsea and claimed the midfielder would have a brighter future if he remained on Merseyside.

"His development here has been good. I've not heard anything from Chelsea. I've not had a bid. There was a bit of speculation about Jack [going to Manchester United] in the summer as well and nothing came of it. I'm looking at this one as the same sort of speculation and hopefully nothing will come of this.

"There comes a point where we don't want to become a club preparing players for other clubs. I personally want to have a team that is competing. Obviously the players want to be successful, winning things and that's something I need to consider as well."

The England international, has garnered plaudits this season with a series of eye-catching displays, following a frustrating 18-months dogged by injury and loss of form. Manchester City, Chelsea and Tottenham have all been most recently linked with the midfielder, but Manchester United and Arsenal have also been credited as possible admirers in the past.

But the Everton manager remains adamant he will not be forced to sell another prized asset, after seeing a number of top players leave the club in recent years.

"My job has always been not to sell my best players. When I came here, I said we might not have much to spend but we didn't want to get rid of our best players. We've never had to do that yet. Mikel [Arteta] wanted to go [to Arsenal] in the summer, Wayne [Rooney] wanted to go [to Manchester United] and Joleon [Lescott] wanted to leave [to Manchester City].

"We didn't want them to go. Not everyone who says they want to leave we're going to let go. The position Everton have moved to, the stature of the club has grown, and we have players good enough for the top teams."

Moyes also moved to reassure Everton supporters that the club did not need to sell in order to bankroll any potential new signings in January.

"I don't think we'll be selling because we need the money for the bank," he added. "I still make the football decisions. There's a bit more business involved in it now.

"There's other financial things we need to keep out eye on. Not all the decisions can be solely down to what happens on the field."