Everton are growing in confidence of keeping hold of midfielder Mikel Arteta.
The Liverpool Echo says the influential midfielder has been the subject of speculation for several weeks, with Blues chairman Bill Kenwright admitting he and David Moyes had met the Spaniard on several occasions in a bid to "persuade him his future lies with Everton".
But with potential suitors Manchester City now focused on luring James Milner from Aston Villa and Arsenal increasingly confident of keeping Cesc Fabregas, Arteta's options have diminished.
