Everton chairman Bill Kenwright admits he's trying to convince Mikel Arteta to stay on Merseyside.

Reports have suggested that the Spanish schemer is looking to head home this summer after seeing his one-year-old son, Gabriel, diagnosed as being partially sighted.

Kenwright is confident he and David Moyes can convince the 28-year-old to stay put for now, but the fact that they have had to have such a discussion does not bode well.

"It is true that David and myself have spoken to Mikel on a couple of occasions this summer and tried to persuade him his future lies with us," Kenwright said in the Liverpool Echo.

"We earnestly believe that is still the case. The health of Gabriel has never been mentioned in these discussions."