EVERTON manager Roberto Martinez has today stated he can “guarantee” that midfielder James McCarthy will not be sold this summer.
The Republic of Ireland international has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur in recent months.
However, speaking to reporters at the club's Finch Farm training complex this morning, the Toffees boss insisted that the 24-year-old will remain at the club for the foreseeable future as he is now tied down to a long-term deal.
“The situation is - James is not going anywhere. If there are reports of a possible sale, I can guarantee that is not going to happen," said the Spaniard.
“He's a player we want to build our future around and he has got a long-term contract, another four years and a big investment we made.
“He was a big investment from the Championship when we brought him in. We want the player to be happy, and we hope we will get the positive news over the next few days – on everyone. On any player that has been mentioned that could be leaving.”
Meanwhile, Martinez also confirmed that Irish duo Darron Gibson and Aiden McGeady will not be fit for the Blues' Premier League opener on Saturday afternoon against Watford.
“Darron Gibson had a problem from last season. Darron hasn’t been able to get back fully fit since he broke his metatarsal, he has gone just for a straightforward procedure in his abductor and he should be back in the next 14 to 15 days,” said the former Wigan Athletic boss.
“Aiden McGeady has an ongoing problem which stopped him at the end of the season from being involved in games and with Ireland.
“McGeady has been carrying that problem on his hamstring for a long time now and hopefully we can get that right, but I don’t think he will be unavailable for too long.”
