Martinez says Everton won’t sell Barkley, fan frustration “completely normal”

With four successive losses in the Premier League giving Everton the table’s worst form, Everton manager Roberto Martinez understands the anger of Toffees supporters.

January’s transfer window is underway, and the boss wants them to know a couple things:

1) He feels their pain.

2) He won’t be selling any players that would harm the reclamation of their European goals.

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Speaking ahead of Tuesday’s FA Cup date with West Ham United, Martinez spoke to the masses (or the presses).

First, on fan frustration:

“That’s completely normal but we’re here to build something for the future, not just for now, and become a winning team, The message to the fans is very clear, we’re all together and at any time in adversity it is about finding a way to become a winning side. It’s time to help each other, help the players and we will get reward for it because the talent is there.”

As for the possible sale of Ross Barkley and other in-demand Everton talent:

“This January window for us it is vital we concentrate on recapturing our best form so you can imagine all of our best performers even if they get a lot of attention they are not going to be anywhere.”

Is there a price that would tempt Everton’s board into selling Barkley? Given the steep fees proffered for English players, particularly young talent, it’s hard to imagine Everton couldn’t bring in a wealth of talent in exchange for the 21-year-old.

Some are saying Barkley could go for close to $70 million. To be clear, that’s significantly more expensive than Alexis Sanchez to Arsenal, Diego Costa to Chelsea and Romelu Lukaku to Everton. It’s less than a combination of Cesc Fabregas and Daley Blind. It’s less than the total fees paid this summer for Dusan Tadic, Emre Can, Fraser Forster and Gary Medel.

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