Everton manager Roberto Martinez has told Manchester City and Spurs to look elsewhere in their search for an industrious midfielder after insisting James McCarthy is not for sale this summer.
Speculation has circulated linking both clubs with a move for the Everton midfielder who is believed to have grown frustrated by the Toffees' reluctance to offer him a new contract.
Everton’s decision to sign ex-Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley seemed to put McCarthy’s position under threat, but Martinez has no plans to sell to the 24-year-old.
"The first is that Everton are a club that has balanced its books, it is not a club that needs to sell anybody," said Martinez when quizzed about McCarthy’s future.
"The second is that James McCarthy has been a strong performer for me for a number of seasons. I know exactly how he performs, he is a central part of my plans so the answer would be no [about him leaving].
"My responsibility is to try and keep bringing competition into the squad. I think what we have got now is a very strong competition for places and we don’t want to lose that.
"James McCarthy has been a top performer in the last few seasons. At the age of 24, to be over 300 games shows the know-how he brings, together with young legs and good energy. He is a vital part of our squad."
The Scottish-born midfielder has developed into a natural ball winner under spells with Martinez at Wigan and now Everton.
Of players to make more than 10 appearances for Everton in the Premier League, no player blocked more passes per game than McCarthy (1.1) and only two players made more tackles per game than McCarthy (2.4) for Everton last season.
For more stats on James McCarthy, click here to visit his WhoScored player page
