Season › 2013-14 › News Everton in no rush over Baines's contract Lyndon Lloyd , 23 September, 0comments | Jump to most recent Roberto Martinez says that all player contract negotiations, including a new deal for Leighton Baines, have been "put aside" for the time being. Everton managed to resist Manchester United's advances for the 28-year-old over the summer, rejecting a succession of bids and it was anticipated that the club would move to offer Baines a new contract now that the transfer window has closed. Martinez says, however, that at the focus is on "the games" and any individual contracts or situations are put aside. “The only thing that concerns me is just to make sure [Leighton] is as fit as he can be and gets in a stronger position and balances the demands of England and club level." Baines underscored his importance to the Blues at Upton Park on Saturday with two world-class free kicks that twice brought Everton back on level terms before Romelu Lukaku headed the winner with five minutes left of the regulation 90. “In the last two games, once the window was closed, he could concentrate on his football,” Martinez says in The Mirror. "He's in a great moment of his career. In the last two games, Leighton has been sensational, probably because he's been able to relax and enjoy his football. “His contribution, to be able to score goals from deadball situations is a massive strength in any team, and he's in a moment where the next three or four years are the best in his career." The club are believed to be preparing to make Baines their highest-paid player with a salary package worth £75,000 a week. About these ads © ToffeeWeb