Everton goalkeeper Joel Robles has told IBTimes UK that he wants to stay at the club, despite rumours that the Toffees are hunting for a new shot-stopper.

What's the word?

Robles was forced to take a back seat at the start of the season when Maarten Stekelenburg was bought by manager Ronald Koeman.

However, after the newbie suffered injury in December, Robles took his chance and ended up starting 10 consecutive Premier League games and keeping six clean sheets.

The 26-year-old will come to the end of his contract in the summer of 2018, and even though the club are yet to open talks over fresh terms, he wants to stay.

Robles told IBTimes UK:

"My contract will expire next season but I'm not worried. We have not spoken about anything yet but my first choice will be [to stay] at Everton. I have it very clear and I will not leave until the club tell me that they don't want me here. If they tell me that I will pack the suitcases and leave but I have very clear that priority is to stay at Everton.”

Will Robles get a look-in next season?

Depending on who Everton sign or if they even manage to recruit a new goalkeeper, it is highly likely that Robles will be ousted from the number one spot.

The transfer rumour mill has linked the Merseyside outfit to Manchester City outcast Joe Hart, as well as Sunderland’s Jordan Pickford, but what is clear is that Koeman is hunting for a new first-choice option.

From Robles’s point of view, if he wants to stay put then he will be required to fight for his place, which could end up being third-choice keeper.

It is worth the Spaniard holding off on a move away this summer, but he should also use that approach when signing a new deal, unless he is happy to take a backseat.

Since his current terms do not expire until the end of next season, it may be worth reassessing his position next January.

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