Martinez yet to open transfer talks for winger

Everton manager Roberto Martinez insists he has not opened talks with Tottenham over a deal to sign Aaron Lennon, though he has outlined his spending plans to chairman Bill Kenwright.

Lennon is set to play his final home game of his loan spell against Sunderland on Saturday as he is ineligible to face parent club Spurs on the final day of the campaign.

The 27-year-old has proven to be an astute signing by Martinez, adding some verve and dynamism to Everton's often pedestrian attack.

Lennon also appears to have been invigorated by the move. The former Leeds man was stagnating on the bench at White Hart Lane at a stage in his career where he should be playing every week.

That has inevitably led to talk of a permanent move for the winger, though once again it appears Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy is setting his stall out early.

Notorious for being a tough negotiator, Levy and Tottenham's reported valuation of Lennon was initially £6million, but a new figure of £9million has been quoted on the press this week, a price far in excess of what Everton should be paying for a player about to enter the final year of his contract.

For now though it is all about his final Goodison hurrah against the Black Cats, with Martinez hopeful he can sign  off in style.

Martinez said:

"I think it is a very significant game at the weekend for Aaron. It is the last home game he will be available for and I think he has had a phenomenal impact in our team.

"He has set high standards and made a massive contribution and I would expect exactly the same over the next two games and we want him to finish as strong as he can.

"I think he has enjoyed it and over the next two games we want him to carry on with the levels.

"After that we will sit down and see where Aaron wants to be and what his thoughts are.

"Whatever happens in the future, it needs to be something that the player is happy with. We haven't had any sort of conversation with Spurs."