Anichebe keen to stay at Everton

Everton striker Victor Anichebe insists he sees his long-term future at Goodison despite not yet putting pen to paper on a new deal.

The 22-year-old will become a free agent at the end of the current season, and was given a hostile reception by some fans when he came on as a substitute in their goalless draw with Wigan on Saturday after it was reported he had rejected a new offer to stay with the club.

But Anichebe said reports he had turned down a figure of 30,000 pounds a week to stay at Everton were incorrect.

“I don’t know where it leaked from that I supposedly turned down an offer of 30,000 pounds a week,” Anichebe told Sky Sports.

“That is not the case at all. I have not been offered anything like the figures that have been bandied about in the press.”

“I want the fans to know I would never disrespect the club in any way or disrespect the fans.”

“I am happy at the club, happy with the players, happy with the manager and I don’t have any problem with anyone at the club.”

“Obviously, of course I want to stay at Everton – I have been here since I was a boy and I have grown up at the club.”

The Nigerian said he was hurt by the treatment he received from some sections of the home support on Saturday, and said he discussed this with manager David Moyes.

“I was quite shocked by the reaction from some fans and to be honest it was quite upsetting because of the fact I have come through the ranks and the fans have always been so good to me throughout my time at the club,” he said.

“It was probably the worst day I have had as a footballer the reception I got and even the build-up to it.”

“I spoke to the manager the other day and he didn’t understand where it came from either and he was shocked by the reception I got when I came on against Wigan.”

“I understand that some of them will believe what they read in the papers, but I want to reassure them I would never disrespect the club or them in any way.”