03 Aug 2015 09:58:49
Martinez gave a long interview after Duncan Fergusons testimonial about how big a club Everton are and how they have a great history (no denying that) and how they're not a selling club etc. Before stating how good a player John Stones is and how he has a long contract etc. but at no point did he definitively say, from what I've read, "John Stones is not for sale".

1.) 04 Aug 2015
04 Aug 2015 01:28:18
I don't think it really matters too much for a club to come out and say a certain player is not for sale. If they keep knocking back bids then surely the other party will get the message in the end? As an Evertonian, I would probably prefer the manager or club official to say those words, if only to clarify the situation. But every player has a price, especially those playing for a team that doesn't have your cash reserves, and I expect Stones will be hot property come the end of this season. I think he will have a few clubs chasing his signature so it would be stupid to haggle with just one club. With him being home grown, under contract until 2019 and the fact that he is a very good player with bags of potential, we won't sell him on the cheap. I may be wrong but I think he will stay with us for another season, I hope so anyway!