Socceroo midfielder Tim Cahill has hit back at suggestions he is being greedy in refusing to sign an extension with English premier league club Everton, branding his critics "small minded people who don't understand football".

Cahill signed a four-year deal with Everton last year, but after earning player of the season honours and lifting the club into the Champions' League was offered an extension last month.

The 25-year-old turned down the offer, but said it had nothing to do with his desire to remain at Everton.

"The club put a gesture forward, and it didn't seem right to be adding on years to a contract where I wasn't absolutely comfortable," Cahill told Sydney radio station 2SM.

"We're still talking and things seem to be going quite well. If it happens then it happens, and if it doesn't then I'll be very disappointed, because it's a club that I'd like to stay with for many a year."

He also responded to criticism he was being greedy in not signing straight away.

"If I was greedy then I'd put in a transfer request and ask for a move, but it's not the case at all," Cahill said.

"I think everything seems to be going quite well, and it's disappointing to hear some quotes from people, and different people are saying things against me, but it's just small minded people who don't understand football I think.

"If I don't sign then it's not a big deal, because I've got three years left and I'm at a club that I love playing football with and that is playing Champions' League.

"I think people need to understand that the club's offered me a deal, they made it public, and all I've done is just replied and not signed a deal.

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