England international Leighton Baines is a transfer target for title holders Manchester United, but new Everton manager Roberto Martinez still has plans for the left back.
The 28-year-old has been in fine form recently, having been chosen as the top left back in the PFA’s team of the year two seasons in a row.
Baines was also responsible for creating the most goal scoring opportunities last season with a final total of 116, the highest out of players from Europe’s top 5 football leagues.
New Everton manager Roberto Martinez told Everton’s website: “He is vital for our future and for what we are going to achieve.”
The latest comments from Martinez harm the possibility of former Toffees boss David Moyes taking Baines over to his new club.
United currently have two players who operate at left back, vice-captain Patrice Evra and Alexander Büttner.
Moyes will most likely be seeking to replace 32-year-old Evra, whose form has declined in recent years, suggesting the French international’s future in Manchester may be questioned soon.
If Baines were to sign, he would be both the second signing David Moyes makes at United and also the second full back to join the Red Devils this season, following the signing of young Uruguayan Guillermo Varela from Atletico Penarol.
A £12million offer for Baines from United was already turned down by Everton last week.
“I can’t wait to start working with him,” said Martinez, who prepares to take over from a successful period under Moyes, recently said.
There is a lot of appreciation for Baines at Everton, and the new manager clearly has plans for the player and the club over the next season.
If Moyes wants to bring Baines to Old Trafford then he will need to raise his £12million offer, but he will face a difficult challenge to convince Everton to part with their star player.
Image courtesy of FATV, via YouTube, with thanks.
For more on this story and many others, follow Mancunian Matters on Twitter and Facebook.
