The Rumour Mill

Baines Bid: Episode #23

14/07/2012 |

Comments (21)

In addition to some of the more persistent story-tellers, some unusual sources are now claiming a £10M bid for Leighton Baines from Man Utd is imminent.

However, they repeat that Everton's valuation is more like £15M and that Ferguson, who rarely buys players over the age of 26, is unlikely to pay that much, suggesting this may just be a regurgitation of the rumblings we've all heard before...

The drumbeat all summer from those citing sources closer to Goodison has been that Everton will not listen to offers below £20 million.

Original Source: The Times, via Bloomberg Rumour source ranking:
1 = Poor; 2 = Fair; 3 = Good; 4 = Very Good; Empty (grey) = Unranked

Reader Comments

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James Flynn
959 Posted 14/07/2012 at 17:39:49

On the other hand, the Times and Bloomberg filled a few inches of blank paper today. Good for them.

Heard about LeBron James wanting to become a keeper for Everton.

Fingers crossed while the window stays open..

Ian Bennett
964 Posted 14/07/2012 at 18:16:31

I can just see it now, Kenwright sells him for £10m and tries to appease the fans by signing Michael Owen. The stuff of nightmares.

Ged Simpson
969 Posted 14/07/2012 at 18:23:51

Nah Ian - just a nightmare

Kieran Fitzgerald
988 Posted 14/07/2012 at 19:29:22

At this stage this is just getting boring. Utd aren't that stuck for a left back, Baines isn't looking for a move and none of the rumours have had any substance. It's just a pity there isn't more being said about Yobo. It would drum up a bit more interest in him.

David Hallwood
997 Posted 14/07/2012 at 20:17:52

I hear Bayern Munich are in for heitinger-nah I've just made it up, but why not everyone else does

Roberto Birquet
012 Posted 14/07/2012 at 22:07:35

The Bloomberg piece was written by a cub desk reporter. How many times did he need to write, the Times said?

Good headline above: part 23. I hope we never "cash in" on Baines. Best Left back I can recall us having, even though we have had more of them than good right backs, if memory serves. It would also be an incredible wasted opportunity were Pienaar to actually come back.

Alan Booth
018 Posted 14/07/2012 at 22:46:18

My rule of thumb is that if a player is used in pre season marketing - pictured in new kit etc, he's probably staying, if not, he's off. Rooney and Lescott not used, Baines is - so he's staying!

Steve Smith
040 Posted 15/07/2012 at 00:51:40

It seems the press are determined to sell Baines for us, just a pity they haven't got a fucking clue of his real value.

Andrew James
045 Posted 15/07/2012 at 01:47:33

Hibbert is attracting £7 million bids from Barca. But they are likely to be challenged by Bayern and Real Madrid.

A source told us "Tony likes playing at right back and he does like paella".

Bill Goodall
053 Posted 15/07/2012 at 05:17:08

To even consider a player as good as Baines going for less than 20 million is a joke.
I dont think he will go but it would have to be a lot more than 10-15 million that keeps getting thrown around.

Mike Green
079 Posted 15/07/2012 at 09:41:01

Andrew James :D

Carl Thomas
088 Posted 15/07/2012 at 10:16:54

I know it shouldn't, but this sort of reporting really gets my goat. The Times on Saturday is the only paper I buy and even that might be stopped now.

It's the language used which is so irritating – the underlying assumption that we are fuck all and they can just come in, name their price and take whatever they want.

Papers – who needs 'em!

David Bridge
133 Posted 15/07/2012 at 16:47:53

A denial from the club would help but BK wants to sell all assets.

Barry Rathbone
138 Posted 15/07/2012 at 17:37:52

This is the form between us and Utd.

The hook is baited in one transfer window allowing the low transfer fee time to be excused, justified and on the face of it denied, then WHAMMO!!

Reel that sucker in..... IN JANUARY.

Karl Masters
179 Posted 15/07/2012 at 21:20:11

Sorry, Alan Booth. Logical though your thoughts are on the pre-season marketing shots, they used Arteta last year and look what happened to him....

Phil Sammon
187 Posted 15/07/2012 at 22:28:20

How many times has that happened, Barry?

Lee Gray
241 Posted 16/07/2012 at 10:19:01

Andrew James......well funny!

Scott Hamilton
244 Posted 16/07/2012 at 11:08:58

Berbatov plus cash for Baines?

We might as well make these stories up ourselves guys so I'm starting with this one...

Matt Traynor
247 Posted 16/07/2012 at 11:29:20

Scott #244, you're not very good at this are you? You're supposed to preface it with some ITK/source, and then caveat it to high heaven so that if it doesn't happen, it's how you thought it would go..., claiming you skinned a bookie on it along the way.

Steve Smith
250 Posted 16/07/2012 at 11:45:29

Everything that Matt said above and just add Robin van Persie !

Scott Hamilton
255 Posted 16/07/2012 at 12:29:26

Thanks for the tips!

"A source close to the club suggests that a player plus cash offer is currently being considered. Whether the Goodison outfit would accept this without first securing the services of a direct replacement for Baines remains to be seen"

How's that?

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