Ross Barkley to Remain at Everton Confirms Roberto Martinez

Everton manager Roberto Martinez says reaffirmed the club's desire to retain midfielder Ross Barkley in the wake of interest from Liverpool and Manchester United.

The 20 year old has enjoyed an impressive breakthrough campaign and was nominated for the PFA Young Player of the Year award eventually won by Chelsea's Eden Hazard.

Barkley is expected to be included in Roy Hodgson's England squad for the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil and naturally his performances have been followed by links with moves to Liverpool and United, both of whom are expected to be active in the summer transfer window.

But Martinez, in a general meeting for Everton shareholders, said: "The one thing everyone needs to know is that we are not in need of selling players.

"If we sell, it will be because the time is right and the squad will be in a stronger position because of it. What is important as a football club is that you don't have to sell to survive. That is not going to happen.

"And will there be new faces coming in and going out? Of course. With every window we need to get fresher, we need players coming in. But we do not have to sell."

Defender John Stones has also been linked with a move away from Goodison Park but Martinez is adamant the success story of Everton's season will not depart the club.

"The biggest success story of our season has been the development of our young players," he added.

"For me it is extremely exciting to see how players like Ross Barkley and John Stones have developed, and that will continue to be central to what we want to achieve here.

"As long as young players are treated the same as the guys who have played 500 games, then they understand that there is a learning process, and that they have to keep improving. It is easy to motivate them in that way."

Though the weekend defeat to Southampton leaves Everton four points behind Arsenal in pursuit of a final Champions League place, the club have enjoyed a successful campaign in Martinez's first season since replacing David Moyes.

With Moyes' replacement at United expected to be given significant funds to improve the club's on-field results, and Liverpool likely to delve into the market to improve their squad following a tilt at the title, Barkley was expected to make up part of both teams' plans.

United have suffered in midfield with Michael Carrick failing to reproduce his best form while Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers continues to seek a long-term replacement for captain Steven Gerrard.