What is Leighton Baines truly worth?

, Metro , 30 June, 45comments  |  Jump to most recent
Late this week, news broke that Manchester United had put in a bid for Leighton Baines at the paltry sum of £12 million. Evertonians were outraged that David Moyes could put in such a low bid for arguably the most important piece of Everton’s squad.

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Reader Comments (45)

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Spragg Johnson
1 Posted 01/07/2013 at 01:29:26
Billy Bull**** will ask for 18 but accept 15 I'd say.
Alan Smith
2 Posted 01/07/2013 at 01:42:40
His age counts against him. We have to be realistic and realise he's only worth £15m, therefore there is no point selling him. To find a younger full back who is as good would cost £20 -25m.

I'd offer them £10m and Baines for Rooney, or there's no deal.

Better still, keep Baines and offer them two £10m installments and £7m in add-ons if we win the Premier League, Champions League, etc, for Rooney.

Scott Ellis
3 Posted 01/07/2013 at 07:15:47
City just paid £30 million for a 28-year-old brazilian!!

Baines is also 28 and is every bit as good except one thing his name is not as exciting to the football world (media). He is at his peak and we should not be made to believe that a player who is near 30 (2 years away) is not worth as much. This theory only suits the few who care to repeat it. If you're that good then age is irrelevant.

I don't want him to leave for anything less than £20 mil as he was the most effective player in a very good team last year.

Michael Winstanley
4 Posted 01/07/2013 at 07:24:43
I agree with Alan, keep Baines but take Rooney.
Trevor McKinlay
6 Posted 01/07/2013 at 08:17:16
Why doesn't Wayne Rooney's age count against him? He's 27 now as well and won't have much re-sell value at the end of his next contract. He's been flogged to death since he was 16 and I'm not sure I'd even want him back at Everton. Never lived up to his enormous potential. It's £10m and Rooney for Baines in my book, not the other way round.
Steve Jones
7 Posted 01/07/2013 at 09:59:25
A lot of people seem to be pushing Baines's age up, he's 28, at his peak with at the very least 5 good years left in him, Distin hasn't lost any pace and he's 36 so why is the assumption from the hack Baines will anytime soon? In terms of fitness I'd liken him to Giggs who is still playing at close to 40.

The press all seem to be keen on telling Everton what our players are worth, the reasons why and how much we should accept from the media darlings for them. If Baines was already at United and Real or PSG were interested the press would all be saying he was worth £30-40m because that's the price one of the world's best left backs and currently the most creative player in Europe should be going for.

Danny Broderick
8 Posted 01/07/2013 at 10:14:45
"...Baines relies on his pace... He has only a couple of years of competent play left.."
What a load of crap that article really is!
Minimum £20 million. And yes, bring Rooney back!
Steve Jones
9 Posted 01/07/2013 at 10:39:02
Yeah the piece is extremely poor...supposedly its the work of Evertonians (Royal Blue Mersey) as well which is concerning!.

Think we should send another link from that site to Kenwright and Elstone though:

http://metro.co.uk/2013/06/29/fight-club-independiente-fans-throw-chairs-at-president-in-row-over-transfer-funds-3861888/

...just as a little aide memoire!

Ciarán McGlone
10 Posted 01/07/2013 at 11:02:17
What the article fails to acknowledge is the goal threat that Baines would bring to any team..

The article happily pats itself on the back – by stating, without qualification, that he is a left back... 'and they don't go for much'..

Whenever you actually analyse his role within the team then he's a lot more than that... Add to his pace – the quality of his delivery, his ability to pop up in the box and score, his clever through balls for forwards and his free kicks, his technical skills .... and you have much more than a player who is simply a full back..

Despite the contentions to the contrary he's actually a decent defender as well..

So, what is Baines worth... to us? About £50 million..

To Moyes.... £10-12 million it appears – £8 million less than Glen Johnson.

Colin Glassar
11 Posted 01/07/2013 at 11:17:21
Let's be honest, Baines is a great attacking LB but, he's not the greatest defender. He stands off his opponents too much and nine times out of ten they will get a cross in that's why cashley is still considered, by many, to be the better of the two overall. Despite that I still consider him to be a brilliant player and anything less than £20m+ would be daylight robbery IMO.
Mark Frere
12 Posted 01/07/2013 at 11:15:01
It's really this simple, Baines either signs a new improved contract with us, or we sell him for £16-20 million. If Man Utd are unwilling to pay what he's worth, then I'm sure there will be plenty of other top clubs willing to pay the going rate for Europe's top LB.

I'm not sure Baines is worth more than £20 million because they won't be any re-sale value.

Mike Green
13 Posted 01/07/2013 at 11:27:15
Colin and Ciaran - it might seem a bit contradictory but I believe you're both right in much of what you say.

Personally, I'd be really miffed if he goes, far more so than Fellaini, not just because he is a quality player, but because he's also a real quality pro and 'Baines and Everton' seem to go hand in hand now, he's a local lad and a bit of a symbolic player for us if that makes any sense.

Fellaini is also to an extent, but comes with silly haircut, bad disciplinary record and possible question marks over consistency, none of which Baines comes with. Bar the sideburns maybe.

As we know though, everyone has their price and if that figure crept into the £20m mark there's very little chance, if none, of BK turning it down.

Ray Roche
14 Posted 01/07/2013 at 11:41:02
Baines is 28, Evra is 32, and Ashley Cole is 33 in December. Evra and Cole haven't been found wanting this past season so I would imagine that they have at least a season or two in the top flight left in them, which would give Baines another 5 or even 6 years left and he'd still be at the same stage of his career as they will be when they drop down a division, join Stoke or retire. So, for the best left back in Britain and the provider of more chances than anyone in Europe's top leagues, it will have to be considerably more than £12m.
Ernie Baywood
15 Posted 01/07/2013 at 11:50:33
My view is that Baines is an exceptional player. One of the best I've seen at Everton.

But 20M+ for a full back would be silly money. Yes he's creative and carries a goal threat but no decent team would be relying on their full back for that. We do - Utd won't. He's priceless to us right now - but not to Utd.

Add in the fact that he'll have no resale and its a no brainer. Keep him.

Kevin Tully
16 Posted 01/07/2013 at 11:38:57
The problem Roberto has to solve is how do we raise funds for a striker? We also need one, maybe two goalies. We know he will generally play two strikers, and he won't see Jelavic & Anichebe as the answer, that's for sure. Let's be honest, Anichebe is Championship at best. We had the smallest squad in the PL last season - and we have to replace three just to hold on to that dubious distinction!!

I believe the new (BT) TV money is not due until this season is over, so we have to sell to buy. Alcaraz may come on a free, but it's a fucking travesty a top 6 club is looking in the bargain basement again.

My preference would be to sell Heitinga, as I don't believe his heart is in it if he is not first choice every game. If that happens, all that we can afford are the likes of Kone, unless Baines or Fellaini are sold, which would put us back years. The only reason I would see Fellaini go before Baines, is his desire to leave for CL football. I think Baines was quite happy here, especially with a much improved contract. That was until the other fucker tried to unsettle him.

One or the other may have to be the sacrificial lamb – whether they want to go or not.

Well done this Board.

Matt Traynor
17 Posted 01/07/2013 at 12:01:02
Kevin, the BT money is paid in the same manner as the Sky money. In fact the payment is combined - the Premier League consider all broadcast revenues (which includes radio, highlights etc) as part of the same pot for the domestic broadcast.

So what this means is, there are 2 payments in August and January - this is equal to 50% of the total pot split equally. Then there are the facility fees - the money for appearing live on Sky or BT. This is paid quarterly I believe. In total it is 25% of the domestic pot, but teams are only guaranteed 10 appearances, but the top teams tend to get 25-26 live appearances, so get a lot more.

Finally there's prize money - for where you place in the league. That's paid at the end of the season obviously!

The overseas TV deal is treated differently. It's split equally between all clubs, and is paid monthly to help teams with budgeting (a change made after the first administration of Portsmouth FC). Liverpool are trying to get this changed to be split according to how popular the team is overseas, but they'll never get the 2/3 of teams to back it, as obviously only 3-4 teams would benefit to the detriment of the rest. When this was tabled 18 months ago, even Man U voted it down, recognising they earn additional sponsorship off the back of the global coverage.

Steve Jones
18 Posted 01/07/2013 at 12:05:45
I don't think it could be any clearer Kevin that Fellaini has been touted around since before Martinez got the job. Its not really a disaster if we go again with what we've got as stands (perhaps with the inclusion of Alcaraz on a free). Remember Martinez doesnt play the same way Moyes did:

------------------------------Howard-----------------------------
----------------Jags-------Alcaraz-------Distin---------------
Coleman------------------------------------------------Baines
-----------------------Gibson------Fellaini---------------------
----------Mirallas-----------------------------Pienaar----------
-------------------------------Jelavic------------------------------

Bench: a.n keeper, Duffy/Stones, Oviedo, Barkley/Osman, Anichebe/Velios

There is still a shedload of quality there if only on paper. The only question mark is Jela and whether a new system will help him rediscover the gifts that so clearly deserted him last term.

Colin Glassar
19 Posted 01/07/2013 at 12:29:32
Good team Steve. I think Honda next to Fellaini could be a possibility.
Ross Edwards
20 Posted 01/07/2013 at 12:50:34
I think over £17m for Baines is a good price.
Kevin Tully
21 Posted 01/07/2013 at 12:37:04
Thank for that Matt - just done a little research, and the least any club can expect to receive is an extra £15m, plus appearance money.

Steve - agree about Fellaini, it was no coincidence he was mentioned by Bill at the Martinez presser - only one player with buy-out clauses etc. I really hope we keep Fellaini, he can run our midfield on his own.

Let's hope Martinez has identified a couple of gems whilst in Brazil.

Alan Smith
22 Posted 01/07/2013 at 12:20:04
Keep Fellaini and Baines. Offer them £90k a week to stay. Sell Heitinga for £5m and bring Honda in for £5M. Sign Alcaraz for free.

BK said there was some money for transfers, so £2M for Redmond and a season long loan deal for Lukaku.

Shay Given leaving villa for free, or Hennessy wouldn't cost much more than £3M either.

A net spend of about £8M Will hardly break the bank will it? No need to sell.

If we are really hard up, Naismith and Gibson could be sold for £3 or £4M each to newly promoted sides. Hopefully keep them though

Here's a possible team next season:

Lukaku

Pienaar. Mirallas
Honda
Fellaini. Barkley
Bains. Distin. Jagielka. Coleman
Howard

Subs; Hennessy
Oviedo
Alcaraz
Osman
Redmond
Jelavic
Anichebe

Every player is quick and athletic and would suit a high tempo pressing game. This is how I reckon Martinez may play. Gibson coming for Barkley away from home, or Fer would be nice.

Steve Jones
23 Posted 01/07/2013 at 12:46:00
I dearly hope so, Colin; he would be a massive signing for us on a lot of levels. The point I was aiming at though was in response to Kevin's apparent despair over our need to offer up our best and brightest to stave off imminent doom.

If you actually look at what we've got, and put it in a more progressive framework, there's not all that much cause for alarm. We'll all have our favourites, players who we'd like to see brought in, of course... but, aside from an extra central defender and a new reserve keeper, I'd say we are pretty much good to go as is and would put money on an easy top-8 finish just with what we have now.

Mike Green
24 Posted 01/07/2013 at 12:43:46
Steve #184 - nice team!

The issue obviously is strength and depth.

Personally I thought Jelly looked like a man who'd had the stuffing knocked out of him by Moyes. I hope, if not expect, we'll see a different Jelavic this season. I take on board the view that he may have been found out in the EPL but he's got a goal every 2.5 games ratio, which took a real knock last season as was 2.26, and many of the goals he scored in his first season were pretty unstoppable so as Arnie says I think he'll be back.

Just need to offload Vic and get someone in alongside him.

Eugene Ruane
25 Posted 01/07/2013 at 13:14:13
To us he is worth goals, great link-up attacking play, assists, pace and defending, plus he simply doesn't miss games.

How much is he worth in cash?

Well that can (surely!) only be measured in the prices payed for other players in the same market (league).

Fernando Torres (STRIKER!) scored 8 league goals last year and cost Chelsea £50M (so just three goals more than DEFENDER Baines but without the link up play, defending or 'assists').

Andy Carroll (average sale price now about £25M) managed only 2 league goals more than Baines last season.

To be fair though, that wasn't JUST because he's shite - it was also down to the fact that through injuries/hangovers/whatever, he misses games the way anorexics miss meal times.

If you were to forget that Baines is a quiet lad, who doesn't play for a 'top 4 side' (who everyone knows are potless) and based the asking price SOLEY on the market, he'd be worth £35M.

David Stuart
26 Posted 01/07/2013 at 14:50:32
I think Martinez is much more likely to play Miralas up front next season, RM likes to isolate his front four (wing-backs, two strikers) one on one, so he likes them to be quick and good in possession. Baines is his dream wing-back and I don't see him going unless Baines himself forces the issue.

--------------------------------Howard---------------------------
---------------Jags---------------Alcaraz----------------Distin---------------
----------------------Gibbo----Fellaini----Pienaar-------------
---Coleman----------------------------------------------------Baines
----------------------------Miralas----------Kone------------------------

It looks like we're going to sign Kone and Alcaraz, Honda looks to be the attempted marquee signing. If we don't get him, AC probably favourites to land him, then Macnelly Torres was linked last week, he's a Columbian playmaker who would sit well in that midfield trio.

Also I reckon Fellaini will still be here next season, doesn't look like Arsenal are going to come in now, and surely if Moyes wanted him the deal would already be under way.

Alan Smith
27 Posted 01/07/2013 at 15:01:58
Bad example Eugene as no one thinks Carroll or Torres are worth that much now. Carroll is now worth £15m as that what he was just sold for in the market.

Bains is only worth what teams are willing to pay or the minimum we are wiling to take.

He's certainly not worth as much as Rooney IMHO....which is £25-30m

Alan Smith
28 Posted 01/07/2013 at 15:12:46
------------------------------------------Howard----------------------------

Coleman--------------jags--------------------------distin----------------------Bains

--------------------------Fellaini---------------------Barkley/Gibson-------------------

---------mirralas-----------------------Honda---------------------Pienaar-------------

-------------------------------------------Lukaku --------------------------------------------------

Hennessy
Jelavic
Redmond
Alcaraz
Osman
Oviedo
Barkley/Gibson

In my wildest dreams....and it wouldn't even cost much, surely even our board could afford that side?

Barry Rathbone
29 Posted 01/07/2013 at 15:27:26
He's worth how much the bank want - they all are.
Eugene Ruane
30 Posted 01/07/2013 at 15:21:07
Alan (254) - Even if Carroll is now only 'worth' 15m in the present market, I'd still argue that what you're getting with him (ie: half a season, a handful of goals, an unprofessional piss-head) is only worth half of what you gets with a Leighton Baines.

All just opinion like but Baines has become an established international, is a real pro and plays an absolutely essential role for us.

(or to put it another way, I wouldn't swap TWO Carrolls for one Baines)

If he has to go (and I REALLY hope we keep him) we should be asking top money.

If Utd want him, make them pay, if they want him cheap, fuck them off.

Eugene Ruane
31 Posted 01/07/2013 at 15:37:55
Barry (267) - "He's worth how much the bank want - they all are"

Tut, you had to go and bring reality into it didn't you!

Steve Jones
32 Posted 01/07/2013 at 15:24:17
Interesting David #249 when Martinez had better players available (thinking Moses here) he did like to play three up and use, with the wingbacks, numbers and clever movement to overwhelm and distract an opposing defence.

Given Pienaar and Mirallas to work with, as well as limited options for a second dedicated striker, I would've thought he'd go back to the three up front and have those two 'inside' with Coleman and Baines providing the width.

Rumours floating about that Barca may want our Keisuke...which is a shame...but understandable seeing he can probably deliver the Japanese market single-handed to whoever picks him up!.

Alan,

Martinez, as Stuart notes, has wingbacks at his disposal now the like of which he's never dreamed of. I just cant imagine that he'd have that resource to hand and he stick to a flat back 4. Cant see him going 4-2-3-1 however fashionable it may be!. It'd be like having a train-set and not, er, playing with it!

David Stuart
33 Posted 01/07/2013 at 17:39:36
Fair comment Steve, RM has played with three up also, and I can definately see him doing that against opposition who play 442, so our third centre back can join up with a central MF two to overun the middle of the park.

I think also that his tacticts are very fluid and I can see us being very interchangeable formation wise this season. His "philosophy" is much more about outnumbering the opposition in all areas of the pitch and dragging opposing players away from their prefered areas and creating space to exploit.

Alan Smith
34 Posted 01/07/2013 at 18:49:38
I don't see how having three centre backs can be more fluid. Centre backs are generally not as tech gifted. Especially jags, would not want to see him stepping into midfield. also, we would only have duffy as cover for three players.

Coleman and Bains would not have the winger to overlap and therefore be easier to pick up. they would end up isolated and getting forward less.

We were so close last season, playing the way were. A top striker and support striker, with Fellaini in front of what was the 4th best back 4 last season. And that was with Hieghtinga playing a few games and a sieve of a midfield, that is Osman, Gibson and hitzlesperger.

Try running through the middle of Fellaini, Honda and Barkley. 6ft plus athletes that can run and press. Get mirralas working as hard as Pienaar and your not conceding many goals and you have technically excellent players on the ball too.

Bains and Coleman would end up with millions of space to overlap with mirralas, Pienaar roaming inside off the touch line.

Alan Smith
35 Posted 01/07/2013 at 19:06:27
Eugene 269

You say Bains is an international, but he is no more an international than Carroll. Carroll has scored for England in a major tournament Bains is second choice left back

Great player that he is, and probably worth slightly more than Carroll, I would not expect anyone to pay more than £20m for a left back with no resale value. Especially a team that have evra or butner.

Therefore your spot on, we should tell man utd were to go because to us his value is higher. His attacking raids down the left could be the difference between finishing 4th and 7th

Ben Hayes
36 Posted 01/07/2013 at 20:06:15
I agree Trevor Rooney and 10 Million for Baines at the least, as Baines is by far the better and more consistent player over the last 2 years. Unless Rooney was rejuvenated for next year not sure id really want him, much rather keep Baines, would also depend how much Rooney would want as would be a massive drop in his wages.

Baines is worth 25 Million if no one wants to pay that sign him up long term and keep him here for the next 7 years.

Alan Smith
37 Posted 01/07/2013 at 20:16:59
Rooney has been brilliant every season IMHO. it's just that a brilliant season from him, like only scoring 20 goals and winning the leaque, is below par. Did you see him play centre mid against villa and make that pass for van persies volley? He is pure class.

I hope Bains stays and wouldnt sell him to Manure but I think we might all be getting carried away about how good he is?

Roberto Carlos wasn't hyped up this much

Ben Hayes
38 Posted 01/07/2013 at 20:12:21
Alan Smith - Really like that side if we play 4-4-2 be interesting to see I feel we have a great first 11 now, if we add Honda that would be amazing I would love Negredo but cant see that happening so Bony and Fer would be great additions if Felliani goes.

Steve Jones
40 Posted 01/07/2013 at 20:25:43
Alan.

OUR centrebacks are generally not that gifted...thats not to say that others fit the same limited pattern. I remember the young Mr Lescott being quite adept at playing the ball out from the back...in an irony Heits can also pick a pass...as can Alcaraz. Just a matter of fitting player to system.

Coleman and Baines would have Pienaar and Mirallas to overlap just as they did last season...there will just be more avenues out of defence for the ball to get to the flanking forwards who then could choose to go wide to the overlapping wingbacks or, to use the extra numbers supporting the attack to get a pass inside to someone in space.

The two banks of four we used last season was neutralised too easily...all it takes is a few players who arent the quickest and the whole thing bogs down into turgid attritional football. First team to make a mistake loses. I don't think we're going to see that next season!.

Not sure whether Martinez will be able to stamp the change in fast and hard enough for us to really be successful this season coming...but its going to be a lot more interesting than sitting through 15 bloody draws like last time!

Dave Lynch
41 Posted 01/07/2013 at 20:42:42
Redshite want 5 milliOn for shelvey !,,,

Baines must be worth 20 times that fucking carthorse is....

Ben Hayes
42 Posted 01/07/2013 at 20:30:13
True Alan I did see that and he was class in that and some other games and does adapt his game to suit the team whoever has played with him.

I do think he had some bad games as well cant remember who against but there were some where he wasn't that great but I suppose most players do.

I didn't see all games but just think Baines is amazing maybe I would Rooney if he was still here or came back.

James Stewart
43 Posted 01/07/2013 at 20:35:33
I agree with Ciaran to us he is a 50million player and we could not replace him with a player of equal ability so our team would be worst off no matter who we brought in. He creates virtually all of our attacking chances. More chances created for his team mates than any other player in Europe. Yes thats more than Bale, Cavani, Hulk etc who are all on the move for upwards of 50m. So to sell him in his prime for 15m is complete lunacy! Thats 8 million less than Glen Johnson as pointed out above by Ciaran. 5 million less than Henderson and Downing.
Barry Rathbone
44 Posted 01/07/2013 at 22:03:16
Couldn't see risk averse Moyes floating this one if he hadn't got the nod from Baines.

The thought of looking a chump by going public on his first major signing then watching as it falls over just doesn't work, particularly as it's one of his "own".

It's a matter of how much.

James McCall
45 Posted 01/07/2013 at 22:15:01
What is Leighton Baines truly worth? — reads the title, £10-12 million bid... maybe rising to £15M+ if the papers are to be believed. Reporting- It would be a great deal, too good for a "punching above their weight" Everton.

My answer would be, after asking: "What is the cost of relegation?" For not only his movement, reading of the game, crossing, link-up play and valuable goals all wrapped up in a genuine down-to-earth bloke.

Take Baines out the line-up and replace him with an average EPL defender, chuck a few injuries to other key players, and a few poor ref and lino decisions, and dropping down a division is what I would expect. With our debt and Board, parachute payments will be wiped out.

What is he worth? Because £10-18 million would be a snip. Not saying we are a one-man team or Baines could win a title for Man Utd, just of his performances but he's done a hell of a lot for us to keep us up there fighting and could be the difference between Moyes winning something in his first season or getting the sack.

So my answer is, at this present point, Baines cannot be sold for any amount, regardless of age or lack of international experience.

Daniel Starkey
46 Posted 03/07/2013 at 18:09:21
I think you need to compare Baines with the best in the World because he is on that level right now. Dani Alves is probably the best full back now and he cost Barca about £30million about 4 years ago so I would value Baines at a definite plus 20million for starters and when you think about his positive characteristics, he's a dead ball expert, he never misses games and is a good type, you need to add about 5million to that. So for me it would have to be around the £25million mark.
Ray Said
47 Posted 03/07/2013 at 18:40:46
He has different values using different value systems;
1) he is only worth what a buyer is willing to pay for him and to Man Utd that appears to be 15 Mill.
2) to me his value is assessed using a different value system which on past form is roughly 10+assist s, 20+ decent goal chances and 7-8 goals.
That could be translated as at least 4 league places. Based on that and the fact that we are still a football club in the business of winning matches and not a fucking shop I would not sell him at all.

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