Manchester City's interest in Barkley doesn't worry me - Martinez

Posted Monday, October 27, 2014 by Goal.com

The Premier League champions are confident a €50.75 million bid will force Everton to sell their prized asset, but the Toffees boss insists the club have no financial need to sell

Roberto Martinez is "very relaxed" about interest from Manchester City in Ross Barkley, claiming Everton have no need to sell.

It was revealed on Saturday that the Premier League champions are confident a €50.75 bmillion bid would force the Toffees into selling their prized asset and trump continued interest from Chelsea.

Barkley penned a new four-year contract at Goodison Park in July and Martinez is confident such commitment will prevent the player or club from sanctioning an exit.

"Everything is there for [clubs like Manchester City] to buy," he told the Liverpool Echo.

"It makes a difference if you have a year left or five years left [on their contract] but in the same way, we are a club that does not have to sell.

"We have gone past that period and the football club is in a fantastic moment financially. We showed that in the last transfer window and everything will be down to football decisions.

"That gives me a real peace of mind and tranquillity of making sure the players at the club keep progressing, keep getting better and stronger and that is a good position to be in. I’m very relaxed.

"It doesn't worry me at all. The loyalty that the players had many years ago is out of the game but as a football club, we don't need to sell and that makes every decision a football one for the good of the club."

Barkley is one of a handful of young players to impress for Everton since Martinez took over and his manager welcomes the attention, claiming it demonstrates how impressive the player's form has been.

"All the speculation and talk is positive. Because you don’t get any of that when your players are not playing well or they haven’t got potential," he added.

"I'd rather have lots of teams showing interest in our players because we don’t have to be forced to do things that we don’t want."