Everton manager Roberto Martinez has told Marouane Fellaini to stay and lead by example at Goodison Park this summer.
The Belgian has been linked with a move to Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United in recent months, having impressed for the Toffees last season.
However, Martinez wants the 25-year-old to remain on Merseyside to help develop the young players at the club.
"Marouane is an international footballer and he's going to be involved, if all goes well, in a World Cup next year," Martinez told the Liverpool Echo.
"He's had a fantastic impact in the Premier League and hopefully now is the time he can carry on showing his massive influence in the game for us. He's still a very young man but I am really looking forward to seeing Marouane working hard and making sure that he sets really good standards at this club.
"We have a very good group of senior players in our dressing room, and some players need that extra bit of responsibility. We have youngsters at the club and they need to get opportunities but the senior players at the club are massively important to start the season as strong as we can be."
Fellaini joined Everton in 2008.
Matt Cotton
