Liverpool Transfer News: Kevin Mirallas Rumours Played Down by Roberto Martinez

Everton manager Roberto Martinez has swiftly moved to dissuade speculation regarding Liverpool's interest in Kevin Mirallas, ensuring Toffees fans that the Belgian has a commitment to the club.

Any transfer between the Merseyside rivals seems unlikely, but Martinez fended off rumours on Wednesday, per Everton's official Twitter account:

The Reds are understood to be in search of more attacking assets despite bringing the likes of Lazar Markovic and Adam Lallana to the club over the summer.

According to Ben Jefferson of the Daily Express, Tottenham are also interested in the "unsettled" forward, who was quoted stating his desire to play among Europe's elite this week:

I've made no secret of the fact that I want to play in the Champions League. Ideally I will do so with Everton. But if that doesn't appear possible we will have to look at the situation.

Let's see how Everton react if we fail to qualify, and the same applies to myself. Discussions about a new contract have been going on since the summer. It is normal for them to take time. The talks have taken place in good spirit. You can see that I'm feeling good when I am out on the pitch.

Everton currently sit 12th in the Premier League standings and are without a win in their last three fixtures, but the club still retains some hope of making a surge toward the top four this season.

Martinez's men have enjoyed success in their European exploits, however, and are currently unbeaten after five matches of this term's Europa League group stage.

As aforementioned, any transfer between Everton and Liverpool would be difficult to envision, but Mirallas' contract expiration date in 2016 does add a factor that could work in favour of Brendan Rodgers' side.

Mirallas would give further depth out wide and provide competition for Raheem Sterling, but he can also feature as a striker, having held a prolific record at former club Olympiakos.

The 27-year-old has impressed in patches this season, scoring three league goals and crafting nine scoring chances for his team, per Squawka. However, Liverpool are under pressure to only bring in assured assets from here.

Markovic's failure to thrive since completing his £20 million move to Anfield hasn't gone down well for the Reds, while Philippe Coutinho is already a talent urging to get more first-team minutes.

The Daily Mail's Joe Strange noted the importance of Mirallas to Martinez's plans, hinting the winger's contract situation should be a priority for the Toffees at present:

With the pool of teams hoping to crack the Premier League's top four more congested than ever, Everton face a fight to keep their attacking marvel happy and encourage an extension.

Should Everton be forced into a sale, they would undoubtedly rather see their asset move to Tottenham, but the notion of Mirallas remaining at Goodison Park won't be ruled out by any means just yet.