More loans to come

Everton's loan haven is attracting other clubs, says Roberto Martínez


• European clubs have been offering Everton players

• 'We are perceived as a good base to ground prospects'

Roberto Martínez has claimed leading clubs throughout Europe want Everton to take their young players on loan next season following the impact of Romelu Lukaku and Gerard Deulofeu at Goodison Park.



Lukaku is Everton's leading goalscorer and has been almost ever-present since his season-long signing from Chelsea, while the on-loan Barcelona forward Deulofeu was starting to feature and impress more regularly before suffering a hamstring injury against Fulham on Saturday.



Everton's manager worked the loan market successfully in the summer, also acquiring Gareth Barry from Manchester City under rules that allow a Premier League club to sign four players on temporary transfers during a season. He believes the playing time given to Deulofeu and Lukaku, and the possession-based game that has helped take Everton to within a point of the top four, has made Goodison an attractive proposition to clubs seeking to develop young assets.



"Clubs have been offering us players," said Martínez, who may make another loan signing in January. "They have seen the other loanees and how well they have been looked after. It hasn't happened with the clubs in the UK but it has happened from abroad. We have had phone calls from clubs asking about taking their players for next season. They see it as a perfect step up in their career.



"Put yourself as a director of football. You spend £20m on a youngster but there is no place for him in your team yet. Where are you going to send him? You aren't going to send him somewhere that he is not going to develop or be at a club with a different style. That's a danger. You are not bothered about making the team, you are sending him to get stronger.



"When you have got a big investment, you cannot give it away easily. I think that you want to make sure that the next step is the right one for a player's development. Teams that have got great investments for their squads will want them to come to Everton rather than elsewhere. That is a compliment. And it is something that is very important for us."



Lukaku has scored eight league goals this season, more than any striker at his parent club, Chelsea, to raise questions over why José Mourinho allowed the Belgium international to again leave on loan following a successful spell at West Bromwich Albion.



Martínez said: "Chelsea are delighted with Romelu. He can't play against them. The other week he helped take two points off Arsenal, three points off United. That is the way you are looking at it [if you are Chelsea]. It is perfect for them.



"You are not going to stop every team but if you can stop your rivals then you are doing well."