Everton manager Roberto Martinez has stated that the club will reject a transfer request from John Stones.
It had been reported on Tuesday that the 21-year-old defender had handed in a request amid interest from Chelsea.
Martinez confirmed that the story is true after Stones played in Everton's 5-3 win over Barnsley in the League Cup on Wednesday evening.
When asked if he had rejected the transfer request, the Spaniard told ITV Sport: "Not yet because it was a match day and that was the priority. We will reject it in the morning and get on with our business.
"Clearly we have got to a point - in life and football - when sometimes money can't buy everything and I think that is going to be a very strong statement at Everton.
"We have a chairman (Bill Kenwright) who will do the right thing for the club and for the team and we are clear he will not be easily influenced in taking the money and accepting things which will clearly make our team weaker. This is not a moment of the campaign when we can use any money to get us stronger."
Stones is contracted to Everton until 2019.
Steven Toplis
