Kenwright Works Harder To keep Barry

Everton chairman Bill Kenwright has claimed that the club are working extremely hard in order to ensure that the loans spells of players like Romelu Lukaku and Gareth Barry do not end their stay at the club. Lukaku and Barry returned to Chelsea and Manchester city respectively after the end of the 12 month loan spell at Everton. However, manager Roberto Martinez has been speaking throughout last season that he would like to keep both players on a permanent basis. They have been a huge influence in the dressing room and on the pitch.

It has helped Everton finish in the European places once again, while they also came close to getting a top four place. Signing Barry will be much easier than Lukaku due to the transfer values of both players. Everton are under financial constraint and Martinez is not thought to have a lot of money to spend in the summer. A transfer kitty in the region of £ 20 million will be peanuts in comparison with the £ 100 million spent last season by the likes of Tottenham, who finished below them in the table. The 32-year-old Barry will be available for around £ 3 million, while Lukaku could cost in excess of £ 20 million.

"Gareth Barry we would love to keep and that is ongoing work and we obviously have to add to the squad, so it is non-stop. Gareth Barry had a great season for us and I know the manager has spoken to him and I will meet with his people and we are hopeful that he will be there next season," said the Everton chairman. While also looking at new players, the club wasted no time in securing manager Roberto Martinez a long-term contract. The former Wigan boss signed a new five-year deal.