Everton doesn't need to sell Lukaku due to club's 'financial muscle'

Roberto Martinez has stressed that Everton has the final say on Romelu Lukaku's future, thanks to the "financial muscle" brought to Goodison Park by new majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri.

The free-scoring Belgian seems to have been casting glances elsewhere lately, admitting a desire to play Champions League football that is not forthcoming at a side placed 12th in the Premier League, but manager Martinez is keen to keep hold of his prized asset.

"Rom wants to be important and he is important to our team," Martinez said. "He is talking about aspirations and that is what we want at Everton - to be in the Champions League and win titles. We share our ambitions. The aspiration of Romelu Lukaku is the aspiration of Everton."

Martinez says the repeated refusals of Chelsea's lofty bids for John Stones last summer are a sign that Everton no longer has to "cash in," and intends to follow the same policy with Lukaku at the end of this season.

"When you have got the financial muscle to compete against anyone in your league then you are in a good position," the Spanish manager continued. "Obviously it takes a bit of time to put in place because of financial rules but I think you can see it is a realistic challenge now."

The targets of the Toffees have lifted somewhat since Moshiri's arrival in the boardroom, something that Martinez recognises as a "new era" in the history of the club.

Everton travels to Manchester United on Sunday, where it looks to address a defence that has looked susceptible for much of the campaign.