Everton Boss Already Planning Summer Signings Despite Link to Arsenal Job

Roberto Martinez is reportedly already preparing the next season with Everton eventhough some reports claim he may be lined up to take over at Arsenal should Arsene Wenger refuse to sign a new deal commiting himself to the Emirates Stadium.

After beating Arsenal 3-0 on Sunday, Everton moved to within a point of their fourth-placed rivals and have played one game fewer than Wenger's side leaving qualification for the Champions League firmly in the hands of the Merseyside club.

After only one season at Everton, Martinez is already being tipped by some pundits as ready to take on a bigger challenge such as that of Arsenal.

Spanish newspaper Daily AS, however, says the Everton boss is focused on his job at Goodison and is likely to stay with the Toffees for a few more years until he is ready for a bigger club.

Martinez turned down a move to Liverpool two summers ago because he considered then that he still had a lot to learn at Wigan. Although he ended his spell at the Latics with FA Cup glory, he also saw them relegated before joining Everton last summer.

The Spanish newspaper says Martinez is happy where he is and is already planning three new signings for next season should Everton secure a Champions League spot.

AS said Martinez wants on loan Barcelona starlet Gerard Deulofeu to stay another season while he is set to make a lucrative bid to acquire Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku's services on a permanent basis. Furthermore, he is trying to convince Manchester City to let unsettled Jack Rodwell return to Goodison Park.

Meanwhile, other reports in Spain claim that the Everton Boss is also one of the main candidates to replace Gerardo Martino at Barcelona.