Manchester United are readying a £10m move for Everton left back Leighton Baines after losing out in the battle to sign Jordi Alba earlier this summer.
United are planning to find a replacement for Patrice Evra this summer after the French full back had a poor season last time around. Evra, United’s stand-in captain in Nemanja Vidic’s absence, was exposed defensively on a number of occasions over the course of last season. Jordi Alba, 23, was supposed to be their prime candidate to fill in for the out of favor Evra next season but Barcelona managed to beat United to his signature.
Everton value Baines at close to £17m although the Red Devils aren’t eager to pay anything beyond £10m for the England defender. United have a strict transfer policy of investing in young players with potential and a high resale value, which is not the case with 27 year old Baines. The player himself had, prior to leaving for the Euros, expressed his joy at being linked with a move to Old Trafford. However, it is understood that the Merseyside club are likely to remain rigid on their valuation of Baines as he still has got three more years to run on his contract.