Leighton Baines
Manchester United are reportedly in for Baines again after their initial bid which was rejected. The Everton Left back remains Sir Alex Ferguson’s top priority to replace Patrice Evra on a long term.
Everton are ready to offer Baines an improved contract to keep hold of a player who manager David Moyes regards as vital to his plans. But any offer around £12 million would be hard to turn down for Everton.
The 27-year-old was named in the PFA Premier League team of the year following an outstanding 2011-12 campaign and Everton’s system is built around his raids from left-back. He is also the team’s set-piece specialist.
Baines described United’s reported interest in him as a big compliment: “The United link is flattering. There is no harm in people talking about it because it is a great club. But I’m at a great club as well, a club that I love.”Would it be hard to turn United down? I’m not letting my focus shift to that while I am in camp [with England].
“I’m focused on what I’m doing at the moment. Would it be hard to leave Everton? Yes, obviously. You know what it means.
“I’ve been there for five years myself but also know first-hand what it means to a lot of people so, yes, it would be.”
So it is believed that any offer which matches Everton’s valuation of £12 million should bring the talented Left back to Old Trafford.