Everton is committed to keeping Ross Barkley regardless of his performance in the World Cup.

The 20-year-old midfielder had a breakout season for Roberto Martínez at Everton.

Chelsea and Manchester United are known to be interested in Barkley.

Everton is under no financial pressure to sell off highly valued assets this summer.

“No. No, because it would be wrong for him," said Martínez about a potential transfer. "As manager you develop a relationship with players and you’re always honest with that. Ross is a phenomenal talent, probably the best English talent I have ever seen, but he is not the finished article yet and you need to be very careful. It’s our duty to protect him and I know Everton is the perfect place for him for the next 12 months.

“In football obviously you can never speak about the future. Obviously we need to come along and try to get into the top-four positions to offer players like Ross the next stage of their development. Ross is delighted at Everton and feels very much that he is in the right place at the right time of his career.”

Martínez’s admission that Everton is the right fit “for the next 12 months” raises the prospect of Barkley leaving next summer.