The Toffees want to make sure Baines is at the club for the foreseeable future.
Following Manchester United’s pursuit of full-back Leighton Baines, Everton now want to give the defender a long-term contract to quash any future tapping up of the Englishman.
United had two bids for the 28-year-old rejected during the summer – including a £15m offer on deadline day – and with the Premier League champions also failing to land Real Madrid’s Fabio Coentrao, the Toffees are worried the club will come back in January.
Baines is thought to earn around £50,000-a-week currently and the left-back has two years remaining on that deal.
Whether chairman Bill Kenwright can convince the England international to extend the stay of the player on Merseyside is unknown.
However, new manager Roberto Martinez is keen to stress the importance of Baines to the club and has indicated how important the full-back is to the team’s success.
“Leighton is a very special footballer and a special player for Everton and we are looking forward to him enjoying the challenge that lies ahead,” the 40-year-old was quoted in the Guardian.
“The window is over and there is a good opportunity to concentrate on football. That’s the way it should be.”
Martinez did lose Marouane Fellaini to David Moyes and United on Monday when the English champions eventually met Everton’s £27.5m asking price.
Yet holding onto Baines was the always the more important objective and having brought in James McCarthy, Gareth Barry and Romelu Lukaku on deadline day, the Spaniard is likely to be praised at Goodison Park for business well done.
Melanggar Manchester United rumor transfer dan berita dalam Bahasa Indonesia dengan fanatix ID!
COMMENTS