Season › 2012-13 › News

Everton quash Baines talk

Lyndon Lloyd , 29 July, 23comments  |  Jump to most recent

Despite near-constant media claims this summer that Manchester United are close to signing Leighton Baines, Everton reiterate that no contact has been received from Old Trafford for the England international.

Attempts by the national and Manchester media to keep speculation alive has led to reports of bids of anywhere between £8m and £18m having been made by United for the left back, but sources close to Everton have always maintained that neither they nor Baines have been officially approached.

With the latest suggestions being that Sir Alex Ferguson won't pay more than £12m for the 27-year-old — some way short of the £20m where it's believed David Moyes would only start considering a sale — a Goodison Park 'source' told ESPN:

"We have not even had a single enquiry from Manchester United.

"Every week we are asked the same question, but it is the same answer, and we are getting a touch fed up with it. For two months it has been suggested that Manchester United have bid for Baines, but it is simply not true."

The same ESPN report suggests that United are monitoring Ashley Cole's contract situation at Chelsea as Ferguson weighs up alternatives to the 31-year-old Patrice Evra.

Quotes or other material sourced from ESPN Soccernet

Reader Comments (23)

Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer


Paul Melarange
1 Posted 29/07/2012 at 16:02:40
Hopefully this will be the last we hear about Baines moving this summer, I can see him probably leaving after another season or so but if it's United or City then it's got to be £20 million upwards for an England international and probably our most consistent player for a couple of seasons.

Get the Piennar deal concluded and let's do so damage from the off next season — no slow start! COYB
Brian Williams
2 Posted 29/07/2012 at 16:19:43
That was the perfect chance to state "and we wouldn't welcome any bid either".....I wonder why the "Goodison Park source" didn't take that chance?
Chris Cook
3 Posted 29/07/2012 at 16:21:53
'Cause we would welcome a bid, of £20 mil.
Garry Corgan
4 Posted 29/07/2012 at 16:57:54
Very interesting wording. The fact we didn't just say "He's not for sale" really invites a bid from Man Utd doesn't it?
Steve Smith
5 Posted 29/07/2012 at 16:59:38
"But sources close to Everton"

Same old same old, they won't even name a source so I wouldn't worry too much about the wording of the denial......yet.

Mark Tanton
6 Posted 29/07/2012 at 17:55:07
If he's off, let's get him off early. He's a brilliant servant to the club and I think he's indispensible but I don't want this to become a Lescott or Arteta situation where we hold on until the bitter end, disrupt our season and eventually let him go. I think he may actually end up at Man Utd, and I think it makes perfect Everton logic to bring in his favoured left-midfield partner and ship him out.
Matt Traynor
7 Posted 29/07/2012 at 18:05:00
Mark #708 — "If he's off, let's get him off early. He's a brilliant servant to the club and I think he's indispensible."

Ummmmmm....

Kevin Day
8 Posted 29/07/2012 at 18:08:54
As most have pointed out, if the “source” is credible, we clearly are saying to any club, £20 million and we'll talk.
Phil Sammon
9 Posted 29/07/2012 at 20:22:45
Firstly, this 'source' is unnamed and therefore lacking any credibility in my book.

Secondly, I think a few on here may have over-active imaginations.

Roy Midd
10 Posted 29/07/2012 at 21:22:03
Brian 693 well said mate, it's about time the club ended this story for good. What's the point in taking Pienaar back if we lose his partner. Stupid.... We should have some money to buy players without losing the best we have. Come on, Bill lad, get some money out and help Moyesie.
Dennis Stevens
11 Posted 29/07/2012 at 22:44:20
It sounds like we'll keep denying there's been any enquiries for Baines until there is one, or more.
Jem Traynor
12 Posted 30/07/2012 at 01:27:07
I can't see this ever happening and further more cannot see Baines ever wanting to leave EFC. He is a Scouser born and bred and lives for the club. These reports are just lazy journalism and Baines I'm sure will end his footballing career at EFC. The guy is an amazing player and I wouldn't want him to go for any amount of money.
Chris Clarke
13 Posted 30/07/2012 at 02:02:21
He will be gone before transfer deadline for £8 million. Sadly, Everton and Moyes are not in a position to say no to bids of this size. Hope I'm wrong but look back at our history, chaps... :-)
Shane Corcoran
17 Posted 30/07/2012 at 09:38:15
Jem, so if Everton accept a £20m bid and tell Baines that they need to cash in and United double his wages you reckon he'll say "Thanks, but no thanks. This is where I belong"?

I reckon this should be in the Rumour Mill and only just at that.
Jem Traynor
18 Posted 30/07/2012 at 10:05:34
Well if he doesn't want to go, which I strongly suspect he doesn't, then the manager will let the Chairman know which then becomes the basis of refusal to sell.

This is rudimentary when also trying to achieve a higher placing in the league and I know it is not a popular view but I feel the manager and chairman understand this basic concept even when the club is strapped for cash given their background with the club ie. devotion to it.

Again, this will seem blinkered to some but not enough to change anything in regards to the club and it's situation, hence my stance, being positive and looking for the unity in the concept of the club which I hope this view is mirrored.

Mike Green
19 Posted 30/07/2012 at 10:13:01
If Man Utd did come knocking, it'd boil down to the money on offer from the club's perspective, I don't think they'd accept less than £15m but would take almost anything over. As for Baines, I'm sure he'd be tempted but wouldn't want to sit on the bench, which would be the deal-breaker for him. So, all in all... I think we're going to hang on to him.
Phil Bellis
20 Posted 30/07/2012 at 10:32:27
No point worrying, musing, sticking pins in your Kenwright doll or getting angry until 23:50 on 31st August.
James Stewart
21 Posted 30/07/2012 at 10:46:44
United seem to have a very strange strategy regarding transfers these days. All they do is offer way below the players value in the hope of unsettling them.

They are really poor in a few areas of the pitch and should be looking to strengthen. Do they really think you can buy a player like Baines for less than £15m?! Stupid.
James Flynn
22 Posted 30/07/2012 at 14:54:15
James (816) - Interesting about Man Utd. Read an article the other day where the writer posited that Man Utd was putting in low bids not to unsettle other clubs. That they're submitting low bids they know will be rejected to project the illusion of Glazer willingness to spend on transfers.
Kevin Day
23 Posted 30/07/2012 at 15:38:20
James Flyn 850, something is not right at Utd that's for sure, 6-7 years ago they would of said “How much”, and clubs would simply name their price for the player Utd wanted give or take a million, I personally think if you laid both Utd and Everton's debts on the table, in respect relative of income, expenditure, they would not be a million miles apart, with the money they have spent so far, they probably simply can't afford the asking price.
Gary Mortimer
24 Posted 30/07/2012 at 15:32:11
Interestingly all the Man U fan sites are saying that he's not even worth £12m. I hope Bainesy heimself gets to read some of the comments as it would put him off going there even if they did stump up enough money for BK and the bank!

They still "sing" the old "stand up if you hate scousers" ditty - I always wonder what Rooney thinks when they do that.

James Flynn
25 Posted 31/07/2012 at 14:26:34
Kevin - Well, it certainly looks as if Fergy BETTER come up with loads of talent thru their development system, because he's likely not getting the big money for transfers in the next couple years.

With the yearly interest on loans, which must be an MFer, and the profits the Glazers pocket every season, not much left over to throw at the wall and hope it sticks.

Martin Handley
26 Posted 31/07/2012 at 21:56:08
Man Utd are in a worse financial hole than us hence floating themselves in New York on the stock exchange to try and raise enough money to cover the interest on their massive debts. Their main target is Van Persie and they're struggling to get that package together. Baines would cost more than they're willing to pay or maybe even have, why else would they even look at an ageing Ashley Cole. Even a part ex deal who have they got other than Nani or Shrek who we would even consider. The fact is Utd are at a major crossroads in their history no longer are they financially able to compete with Chelsea or their noisey neighbours, they are struggling to keep up with the Arsenals or Tottenhams of this world yes I know we are but we make no pretence about it. Also dare I say our youth system is better too.
So to summarise I don't think we will lose Bainsey any time soon to uncle Alex .

Add Your Comments

In order to post a comment, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site.

» Log in now

Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and Talking Points submissions across the site.


About these ads