Roberto Martinez does not need to sell stars, insists Bill Kenwright

Everton chairman Bill Kenwright says new manager Roberto Martinez is under no pressure to sell players this summer.

Martinez was grilled on the futures of Leighton Baines and Marouane Fellaini, both of whom have been linked with moves away from Goodison Park, after agreeing a four-year deal with the club yesterday.

But Kenwright claims he will back Martinez in the transfer market this summer and insists Everton’s star players are going nowhere. “I’ll give him a few quid to spend,” said Kenwright. “The others are not for sale. We don’t want them to go, they have worked massively hard for this club.

“Roberto doesn’t want them to go, he has all their numbers and he will be on the phone asking them not to go. Not one person has even half-indicated they want to go.

“I am confident that squad, plus some Roberto signings, will form this club’s squad for next season.”

Martinez, who led Wigan to FA Cup glory last month, is looking forward to working with Kenwright. He said: “You look at his relationship with the previous manager and I had that at Wigan.

“That is important and I do believe in human relationships allowing to work in football. The chairman really showed a passion for the club from day one and Everton gives me a special feeling.”