Roberto Martinez reckons Everton emerged as winners from the transfer window - not least because they kept Leighton Baines.
A hectic deadline day saw Everton finally sanction Marouane Fellaini's move to Manchester United, for £4m more than a buyout clause in his deal which expired at the end of July.
Martinez had already lined up a replacement in the shape of James McCarthy, and that transfer was pushed through along with loan deals for Romelu Lukaku and Gareth Barry.
And to add to the sense of satisfaction at Goodison Park, there was no last-ditch bid for long-time United target Baines, whose loyalty is now likely to be rewarded with an improved contract.
Martinez said: "Leighton is a massively important player for us and the future of the football club. We want to do anything we can to reward that and he deserves the appreciation and deserves to know how we feel about him.
"It's all positive. He's been an outstanding performer for Everton for years and now clearly he's at the peak of his career and we're going to make sure he feels that warmth from the football club and from a contractual point of view exactly the same.
"It's vital for the future and for the plans we have at the club. So we're going to make sure that we show him that."
On Fellaini's exit he said: "Everything was done on our terms and that's what is important.
"We wish him well, but I do feel that when you lose a player you need to end up with a squad in better shape and I think that's what we achieved.
"As you know the contractual situation of Marouane was quite straight forward. His contract (buy-out clause) expired on July 31. From that point on the evaluation was completely different and he had a premium on top."
Fellaini's early-season form had been overshadowed by that of academy graduate Ross Barkley, and the teenager is in England's squad for their World Cup qualifiers against Moldova and Ukraine.
Football Association chairman Greg Dyke this week outlined his fear that the likes of Barkley are finding it increasingly difficult to break through in the Premier League because of the high percentage of non-English players.
Martinez said: "I think it's very important that guidance comes from the top and clearly the FA and the Premier League need to give us that guidance.
"We are all wishing the same - to develop as much home grown talent as we can and make sure England have got a team that can compete to win major titles.
"I think it's important that direction, instruction and the programme come from the very top so everyone can follow it."
A hectic deadline day saw Everton finally sanction Marouane Fellaini's move to Manchester United, for £4m more than a buyout clause in his deal which expired at the end of July.
Martinez had already lined up a replacement in the shape of James McCarthy, and that transfer was pushed through along with loan deals for Romelu Lukaku and Gareth Barry.
And to add to the sense of satisfaction at Goodison Park, there was no last-ditch bid for long-time United target Baines, whose loyalty is now likely to be rewarded with an improved contract.
Martinez said: "Leighton is a massively important player for us and the future of the football club. We want to do anything we can to reward that and he deserves the appreciation and deserves to know how we feel about him.
"It's all positive. He's been an outstanding performer for Everton for years and now clearly he's at the peak of his career and we're going to make sure he feels that warmth from the football club and from a contractual point of view exactly the same.
"It's vital for the future and for the plans we have at the club. So we're going to make sure that we show him that."
On Fellaini's exit he said: "Everything was done on our terms and that's what is important.
"We wish him well, but I do feel that when you lose a player you need to end up with a squad in better shape and I think that's what we achieved.
"As you know the contractual situation of Marouane was quite straight forward. His contract (buy-out clause) expired on July 31. From that point on the evaluation was completely different and he had a premium on top."
Fellaini's early-season form had been overshadowed by that of academy graduate Ross Barkley, and the teenager is in England's squad for their World Cup qualifiers against Moldova and Ukraine.
Football Association chairman Greg Dyke this week outlined his fear that the likes of Barkley are finding it increasingly difficult to break through in the Premier League because of the high percentage of non-English players.
Martinez said: "I think it's very important that guidance comes from the top and clearly the FA and the Premier League need to give us that guidance.
"We are all wishing the same - to develop as much home grown talent as we can and make sure England have got a team that can compete to win major titles.
"I think it's important that direction, instruction and the programme come from the very top so everyone can follow it."