Everton manager Roberto Martinez has made it clear that James McCarthy will not be leaving the club anytime soon.
Recent reports have suggested that the 24-year old midfielder could be on his way to Arsenal in January but Martinez insists the man he paid £13million for in September last year will be staying at Goodison Park for a long time.
"As you know, James McCarthy is someone that we rate very, very highly," Martinez said.
"Otherwise you would never make the sort of investment that we made on him just 16 months ago.
"We are delighted with James' form. I always believe James is a typical Everton player and that he can grow and get better.
"He has got a long-term contract, he was a huge investment and, as I say, I always enjoy seeing good reports on our players.
"I see the interest, or the potential interest, or the good compliments that people pay on James from the outside but James is a player we look forward to seeing in the Everton top for a long, long time."
