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Roberto Martinez has dismissed reports Everton are on the brink of signing Jonny Evans from Manchester United.
Evans has only one year left on his current Old Trafford deal but Martinez has poured cold water on the idea that he will follow his old team-mate Tom Cleverley to Goodison Park this summer.
"It’s not true, there’s nothing (in that)," said the Everton boss. "I always said I’m not going to be commenting publicly on any of the names that have been shared around, but I can tell you clearly that there is nothing true in that story."
Martinez also issued a hands-off warning to clubs interested in midfielder James McCarthy. "James McCarthy is a phenomenal asset," he added. "We’re going to build a team around him and he’s got a long-term contract with Everton."
Everton spent £13 million on the Republic of Ireland international in 2013 and Martinez would be loath to see him go, saying: "James enjoys his football and is an example for our group. As I said, we're going to build the future around him."
