Everton coach Alan Stubbs believes that the club need to refuse any offers for midfielder Ross Barkley because he is the "future".

The 20-year-old's impressive performances this season are believed to have attracted interest from Manchester United and Merseyside rivals Liverpool.

However, Stubbs believes that the Toffees are in a position where they do not need to sell their prized assets following Leighton Baines's decision to commit to the club earlier this season.

"We've now got players in abundance who can kick us on to the next level," Stubbs told talkSPORT. "It's important now as a club that we start to keep these players, rather than sell one or two every now and then. Barkley is the future."

Barkley has been tipped to be included in Roy Hodgson's England squad for this summer's World Cup in Brazil.

Written by
Danielle Joynson