Papers predict Baines move will happen

So Baines will be gone in Jan. We most probably took a down payment on him in September – the extra £4 million for Fellaini. We'll get a further £8-10 million for Leighton in January.

I'd love it if Everton are higher in the league than Man Utd for the sale, but ultimately I wish him the best as he is a living legend.

I'd be surprised if we spend more than £10 million in the next window.

A corporate guest at Old Trafford yesterday, I was told categorically that a deal for Leighton had been sewn up in August and he would move in the January window.

Much unease about OFM although ironically being credited for getting Rooney back to his best.

I'm not worried now Martinez is in charge; he takes the negative and produces positive, in fact I'm quietly confident he will improve the overall effectiveness with the loot. He is proving to be a step ahead with not only Plan B but C, D and E in his pocket.

Man Utd are still top dogs in the northwest and will be for a while (despite the obvious). Local lads wanting to stay local will continue to go there – it's a big reason for Rooney staying despite his annual threats to ship out.

The papers are full of Moyes coming in for Baines in the January transfer... Has the time come for Bill Kenwright to tell that club we will never do deals with you, the way Ferguson and Moyes have treated our club like dirt......

This could be bad timing for Kenwright. If Everton are still in with a shout of a European place, how can he justify selling one of our key players? That will scream lack of ambition. It may mean having to keep hold of the player until the summer when he'll have just the 1 year left on his contract.

Of course that might mean we're in Europe, and Man Utd aren't – a dilemma for Baines then!

I think it's nailed on he will be sold, you only have to see Martinez in the press conference when asked about his contract. He basically is saying that he is playing well and enjoying his football and there is no need to enter discussions at this point. Yet a few days after the window shut he was saying he is an icon and vital an its important his loyalty will be well rewarded. the change from that to no discussions is very strange.

Also, didn't Stubbs come out and say he wanted to go? I suspect he told the board/manager he will stay for now to avoid the team losing two players at such a vital time but he wants to go in the next window, that's my take on it anyway.

If he wanted to stay then surely they would be opening talks now?

I think it's a cert he will go, the only question is wether it's in January or the summer. We should play hardball though and demand cash and Hernandez, then go and buy Luke Shaw as a ready made replacement.

A lot can happen between now and January - wasn't Fellaini on the bench yesterday?

If things really are going pear shaped for OFM, surely Baines will think twice about moving?

I'd be asking for more than £15m for Baines, okay he's 29, but a player that can score with free kicks like he can is worth £18m+ to a top side. He's still got 3-4yrs left as a Prem player.

I suppose Man Utd already have Rooney taking their kicks, but nonetheless he shouldn't be leaving for £15m or under.

Off topic, I see Rooney's asking for an increase on his £250,000 per week and a 5-year contract, not bad eh!

They were supposed to be buying Baines in the last transfer window and the two windows before that yet he's still at Everton. I'll believe it when it actually happens.

Isn't Martins Indi, who were are rumoured to be signing, a Left Back?

Just speculation. We know they're interested, we know Baines hasn't signed an extension to his contract and we also know what happened last time an employee didn't sign an extension. We don't know if it will add up to a move.

We've also been here before and – while this is almost certainly Baines's last chance – it doesn't mean it will happen and Man Utd's position may mean the prospect doesn't look as enticing in January as it did in August. This may be true for all parties.

I do hope Stubbs keeps out of this conversation! His contribution was less than helpful...

He's a CB Ross but can play at LB in an emergency. A bit like Lescott.

Thanks Col. He can be a long term replacement for Distin, and we can replace Baines with Davies or Bertrand.

I agree with Barry (#152), Baines is likely to go in January; if it was the summer, he will still go but for less. The papers are full of talk, I read that it was a copy of the Moyes/Fergie situation with Moyes keeping in touch with Baines re the contract. We won't know until someone writes a book!

I'm more worried about finding a striker to replace Lukaka in the summer

So you don't rate Stones or Duffy then Ross? I don't really think Centre Half is a position we should be spending too much cash on to be honest.

Regarding Baines, I think there has been a contract offered, and it has been refused. I believe that based on Martinez's complete U-Turn on Baines contract from 'it is one of our priorities' to 'not important right now'.

This puts us in a very difficult situation if true, as in 13 months he can start talking to other clubs about a free transfer, which makes a high bid for him increasingly unlikely. Truly a tricky situation to navigate through this one, especially considering Martinez has already been made to look a fool by contradicting his own words.

The biggest concern, is his loss of form. I don't know if it is reluctance or the system we are playing, but I just don't get the impression he is getting down the lines as much as he has last season.

Nobody's mentioned Oviedo in this thread so far. I think that if Baines does leave — and I just refuse to believe that it's "nailed on" — we have his replacement already on board.

No, I don't rate Duffy at all Dan, and I haven't seen Stones enough to pass judgement on him.

We shall see what happens if it happens. The media are always speculating wildly regarding the big money clubs especially Man Utd. The Baines situation is a no-brainer given that it was always a given that Moyes wanted him along with Fellaini who so far has been a dud at Man Utd.

Whilst Bainsey has been a great buy for the Blues and is arguably the best left back in Britain at the moment, I don't think he is irreplaceable and Everton may have had him for his best years. Money is the key and we all know Man Utd will come in with a bigger offer – maybe even with a player as well – in January.

Evra's potential move back home to France will be the key in this. What advantage is Baines going to get by joining them in January? Even if Man Utd are still in the CL that means only 5 or 6 games (even if they very unlikely go all the way to the final).

If Baines wants to nail down the England Number 3 shirt for Brazil, then surely he should stay here for the rest of the season. If he wants to go in the summer then let him go then with our blessing (Even if it means a reduced price with 1 year remaining on his contract.)

I think it would be more cost-effective to keep an inform Baines that might help us into Europe rather than sell in January for say £16M and replace with a weaker left back. IMO Baines should complete the season with us and decide what he wants after the World Cup!

I agree Mike, he's looked decent, the little I've seen of him.... not a Baines though, but then again who is?

Has Oviedo had a game in the Under-21 matches? Otherwise he's hardly had a kick apart from training.

Worries me this, as it probably links to the comments of Evra which he now claims were "misquoted". Guessing he knows that Baines is a done deal and is unhappy.

We will need to reinvest if we sell him, as we would then start next season without Baines, Lukaku, Deulefeu and potentially Barry.

If Baines goes, the money has to be spent on Shaw. Leave it unspent and it will disappear before you can say lawn mower parts.

Indi is a big young left footer with a winning attitude. Value £4.4mil and rising.

As for Stubbs. I've always had the impression that he was quoting from a carefully prepared script.

Any money available, including anything from Baines transfer – if it happens – has to be spent on a striker.
Oviedo can adequately cover at left back but, when Lukaku goes, we're in the shit!

Raymond (253), I don't know if Oviedo has played in the U21s.... I do know that he hasn't played for Costa Rica since they clinched their World Cup berth... they went with mostly reserves in their last two qualifiers because they didn't matter. So sharpness might be an issue for Oviedo in the first couple games.

But I still rate him very highly.

Its still only October and January is a lot of league games away. If it does happen then best of luck to LB, I just want to see us paid well for him.

Personally I'd take 15m and Kagawa for Bainsey. If RM could get Kagawa to play like he did at Dortmund, then we'd have 3 attacking midfielders that would be a match for any side in the league.

Chuck in Hernandez for good measure as well....

I wouldn't wish him the best of luck. If he does go, I hope he starts playing really shit and loses his England place to Cashley. Maybe then the likes of Barkley or other players who might want to fuck off might think again.

Not sure whether it's down to a lack of focus, playing style or just natural variations in form, but the encouraging thing for me is that Baines seems less central to our play in the last few weeks.

To be clear, this is not me saying that he's easily dispensable or not an amazing player we'd prefer to be with, but rather that there is a better balance to our midfield/attacks that might not totally hamstring us if/when he departs. £15M wouldn't be terrible business and assuming we had some cash in the bank from the summer then investment in a replacement AND a decent striker (e.g. £15-20M - preferably Lukaku) would soothe the wounds a little.

That's not very nice Jamie. Bainsey's been a great servant and he might see this as his last chance to play at places like the bernabeu, San Siro, Allianz stadion etc.... We got him for £6m, he's given us years of great service and we will make a tidy profit on him. I'd like him to stay like everyone else buy OFM is probably on the phone to him every day whispering sweet nothing's into his ear hole.

Was really hoping for Indi in the summer, more than a few that we ended up signing actually. Saw him as a replacement for Distin, which we need very soon... This is getting press again now that the Baines rumours are on again..

A future combo of Indi and Stones is quite appetizing.. Based purely on potential of course... But he looks the business.

I'm not convinced that he will end up at Man Utd. If he goes, then I would think City would be a more likely destination. They have two left backs, Clichy and Kolarov, neither of whom can touch Baines.

From LB's point of view, which club are more likely to be challenging for trophies over the next few years?

Also, Felli has hardly been welcomed with open arms over there, their fans are already making noises about "not another from Everton"....

When Moyes returns to Goodison, the crowd should really let him know what we think of his transfer policies. I really want to see them finish outside the top 4-5.

We should try to hold on to Baines at least until the end of the season, and I can't believe some of the bullshit valuations coming up on this very forum. £8-10 million........ WTF? It has to be double that. for one thing he is a better player than MF.

Every bad result from MU increased the probability of us holding on to Baines. So there is what to wish for. And it's worth repeating...
STUBBS OUT!

Is anyone else beginning to get the feeling that we are being softened up to expect his departure? No contract discussions; no outright denials from the club; RM deflecting whilst choosing his words very carefully on this subject; rumours of replacements gaining currency.

Maybe, as others have said, he has been given the nod that he can go to better his chances of the World Cup, and also give CL football. I hope he’s not counting too much on the latter though. I would be surprised if the Manure went very much further in the CL.

Why would we sell Baines for as low as £8M? Where is the benefit for us?

Why has our required price dropped so much Colin? Imo Baines's performances for England are likely to have led to a higher price, than a lesser.

If we sell, we cannot sell for less than £14M imo.

I'd take £8mn for Bainesy if Kagawa was the makeweight. £8mn should be a good offer for Nagatomo, from Inter, who's very much a Martinez-style left wingback. The two have got a decent understanding from their national team.

So lose Baines but get a like-for-like(ish) replacement and additional striking power to offset losing Lukaku next season. Plus its a good way of raising our profile in Japan for those all important shirt sales. Whats not to like!

If Baines has not already said that he wants away then why would we sell him? I suppose he may have agreed to stay on the promise that he can leave in the next window...

If not, then why don't we do a Liverpool or Man Utd and block the sale of Baines as they did with their star players? Perhaps by not agreeing to a new contract he has forced the issue rather than he be allowed to leave for free when his current contract runs out. This is all supposition as I do not know the situation and just hope that he stays with us.

Jim, it's probably because in 13 months he can start talking to other clubs from free. Why would anyone pay £20 million for a player, that they can get for nothing of they wait?

And for us, £8 million is a much better proposition than nothing at all.

I expect Baines to go, but think the board and management team should remind him that he's got to the World Cup playing for Everton and will likely start.

If he goes Bertrand or Martins Indi would be good replacements and Oviedo could do a job if his defensive side improves.

Luke Shaw will surely be pushing Baines and Cole for a place at next year's World Cup and would likely cost more than we end up getting for Bainsey.

Sorry Mike, but Oviedo did play against Mexico in the final qualifier, or at least that what FIFA believes. I did think this could be a mistake by the world governing body but they also think he was cautioned quite early on.

http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/nccamerica/matches/round=258372/match=300221972/report.html

He's a player I just can't get my head around. He must train like an absolute jerk because in almost every game I've seen him involved in he's looked pretty decent, but doesn't seem to get much back.

Oviedo came on and played a great game in front of Baines at Upton Park.

Roman (413), no, it was my mistake... thanks for catching it. He'd been left out completely for the two previous games and I forgot to check and see whether he'd been brought back in for Mexico. Costa Rica played so well that night that I should have guessed he was in the lineup.

I don't think there's much mystery about why Oviedo hasn't seen much action for us, even though (as Harold points out) he plays so well when called upon. At his best position, he's behind one of the finest left backs in the world. And at his only other position, left midfield, he's been third choice for both Moyes and Martinez. I was hoping he'd be the one to come on yesterday for Pienaar, but Naismith got the call.

David (Greenwood) - 348 - I genuinely feel that Baines would never go to City and that Utd has more appeal for him: Moyes - backroom boys - more Engeerlland buddies - and I think somewhat more flight-of-fancy-like that Utd's history and tradition rather than Citeh's recent Johnny-come-lately sheik-up.

I also believe that he will leave in the next window and that - Moyes like - the deal is in place long before its public announcement. There is irony in the fact that LB might well be going somewhere in a mess far from being sorted out, but I don't see the next two months changing anything.

I think - hope - that I would find it hard to be angry at LB and I hope that he shows more class in his leaving than you know who. I think he will. I will, however, admit to feeling peeved at the clear fact that LB is playing well below par and has been for a while now and that the root cause of this is Manchester United's gaffer. His mind simply seems to be elsewhere or perhaps I'm reading too much into that given my views about where he will be playing footie late January.

STUBBS OUT. Inexcusable lapse in judgement. Brainless muppet.

At 29, Baines for £20M is a good deal. Van Persie was a snip at £24M. We could get Lescott back and he can play left back and score goals. He would also be an ideal replacement for Distin.

Methinks that Barkley's best position will be alongside McCarthy. Sadly for Pienaar and Osman, their days are numbered. We need to replace a lot of the Moyes type players with those who can play the RM way.

I'm definitely less scared about losing him now than I was in the summer. I know he scored those two free kicks but, in our general play, we have been less reliant him. There are plenty of good left backs out there.

Being Welsh, I'd love Ben Davies, he's got the potential to be as good as Baines.But as others have said, a striker is more pressing. It might be a good shout putting Hernandez in the deal, but I imagine he wants to go a club in the Champions League.

A done deal and we might already have received a down payment. Leighton has been a great servant and I wish him well with his next club.

Only football fans start hating a guy for securing his future but that will never change. To us, Everton is the be-all and end-all – to the players, just an employer.

Christopher @ 421. I suspect Stubbs was totally 'on message' and is unlikely to be in trouble for that!

No worries, Mike.

Ben, I would be happy with Hernandez as well. He would suit our style of play but I don't think he would come to us. The thing is though, he may not get a choice in the matter.

Bertrand or Davies are both better full backs than Oviedo and neither should be out of our reach.

Going back up the thread, Shane Duffy is not a Premiership defender. His fuck up against Forest on Saturday was poor and he is just not quick or mobile enough.

Baines's open play is excellent when Pienaar plays; no Pienaar – no Baines... That doesn't however take into account his free kicks.

Bottom line: Manure (OFM) wants Baines more than we would loose by releasing him, therefore, a minimum of £20 million please or run his contract down.

It will be interesting to see how Baines performs at Old Trafford in December, if as many have suggested the deal has already been done.

For the record, Steven (#357) and Jim (#364), the £8-10M I mentioned was on top of £4M from the Fellaini sale. Don't get me wrong, I think it's savagely under-value but I believe likely. A player in the deal would soften the blow.

Lewis, good point about Shaw. It's only a matter of time before he becomes a hotter property than Baines. If Utd turn their arrention to Shaw, they could pick him up for as much as they are willing to pay us for Baines. Long term, the money for them could be better spent on Shaw.

If Baines is still an Everton player after the next transfer window then I will do The Dance of the Sugar-Plum Fairy down our street.

Carl, Utd won't drop Evra as soon as Baines arrives (He is their captain on occasion) so would Baines be happy on the bench with a World Cup this summer?

Baines OUT. Wiggins and Weller IN.

Well, that could be the headline in a rag like the Express.

Unfortunately it appears that our beloved Bainsey may well be heading to pastures new – but as Fellaini and Moyes found out – not necessarily greener ones. (Ok – greener in money terms ...).

We all know that Leighton Baines is the best left back in the universe (for goodness sake even his initials are LB) – but amazingly many others don't see this like we do. He'd have to up sticks, settle in to a new environment, and then look to displace Evra (who's an established and sound player). He would also have to overcome all the Man Utd doubters (and there are plenty). A mistake here and there and he may be pilloried, lose confidence and his place – just when he is on the cusp of Hodgson seeing him as the standout England left back. (Personally I'd play Cole at LB and Bainsey in front of him).

He'd certainly get less game time, as Moyes would rotate.

A riskier move than it seems. From a club where he is adored – to a bunch of Manc (well, one or two are) character assasins. They detest Moyes and Fellaini is seen as a waste of money. The new "Everton reject" won't go down well with some of the prawn sarnie munchers.

Think, Bainsey – please use your little grey cells. You already know what your heart says.

If he does decide to join the dark side, then thanks and farewell. Oviedo should be given a fair chance. We should ask for money and Kagawa or Hernandez (or be really cheeky and say RVP).

As for Barkley going – that's rubbish. Have you seen how many midfielders Chelsea have! He'd never get a sniff and go backwards in his development. I'm not even worried about him leaving - well, not for at least a season or so longer. And £20 million! No way Jose! 30 mil at least - for his potential and his youth.

Whatever happens – King Robbie will have it all figured out. I just love this guy.

Carl Sanderson (481), I'm sure at least one of your neighbors has a video camera or an iPhone, so I look forward to seeing you on YouTube.

£8m for Baines? No real suprise that post from 'Delusional Dan'.

And can I agree with the others who have posted STUBBS OUT. He really is the enemy within.

When a Everton player gets angry when he scores, you just know he wants to leave.... Rooney every time, Fellani and Baines 1st free kick against West Ham!!!

I keep wondering who is behind these Baines news stories? Is it the Man Utd press office? The latest headlines read "£15 million Baines".

If he does move to United in January, expect all the papers to come out with 'You heard it here first.....back in 2008!'

Mathew #199 "He basically is saying that he is playing well and enjoying his football and there is no need to enter discussions at this point."

Or put another way, if he was playing crap and pissed off with being at Everton (like Fellaini) he'd be offered the new contract right away!

Trevor #390 "If not, then why don't we do a Liverpool or Man Utd and block the sale of Baines as they did with their star players?"

Because our banks want their money.

In a tu-tu Carl (481)?

Martinez has not relied on Baines as our main threat going forward the way the ginger tosser used to at all this season, I've been to a few games and it is especially noticeable in the flesh.

He like to build via passing and keep it on the floor, crossing is lower in priority than before as retention and possession are how Martinez believes that the opponent will be defeated, if they don't have then they can;t score and our chances to score increase the longer we have the ball etc....crossing the ball whenever possible, unless it is completed and results in a goal, hands possession back to the opposition and therefore Baines main weapon offensively speaking is less important.

If he goes, he goes and I am not worried now at all, th emoney may well be earmarked for a deal involving Lukaku and I for one would prefer to keep him and let Baines go if that was the option.

Chris James (#342):

if you think we have got any chance of signing Lukaku, you might as well forget it. if he bangs the goals in all season you will be looking at £25M+ and there are a multitude of big European clubs with cash to burn who would snap at the chance to buy him. In any case, he will be the top striker for Chelsea, so it's pie in the sky.

Paul 517,

Pink and sequinned. It's the only way.

I fervently hope that Baines decides to stay; once Pienaar is properly match-fit we'll have an excellent balance within the side if Baines stays. I think, however, we have to prepare ourselves for the worst.

Carl...

"if Baines stays. I think, however, we have to prepare ourselves for the worst."

You're too hard on yourself. I don't think your dance will be that bad.

In fact, if it weren't for those spectacular free kicks and his sheer quality, I'd say the best reason of all to hope that Baines will stay... would be your upcoming tippy-toe recital.

Andy 542, very good point about his changed roll mate, makes perfect sense, I cant say it had occurred to me, I don't think its been aired before!
Same goes for Seamus on the right I suppose.

We will miss his free kicks when in sight of goal though.

Sorry, I know you meant "goes" instead of "stays", but I just couldn't pass up the sitter.

Ste (#488) – If your reason for the STUBBS OUT post is because of what he said about Baines, then I don't think he warrants it. I Think that Harold (#284) and Tony (#361) are nearer the mark.

I think Stubbs took one for the team in saying what he did as a measured campaign to resign us all to the inevitable departure of Baines in January and hence the latest stage of the softening up with the lack of talk regarding contract negotiations.

I just wonder what Baines' motivation for going is because realistically Man Utd are not going to win anything for the next couple of years at least and hopefully longer which will see him at 32 or 33 years of age and ripe for replacement himself. If it's all about the money, then at least Citeh could offer him a possible trophy to go with the £100k per week pay packet.

If Baines truly wants a crack at CL football then fair enough. He is more than good enough. However, he would be stupid to go to United as they won't be even in it long. They are very much in limbo. He is too good for them. He would walk into practically any team.

Offer him £100k and hope he stays.

And the only hope of Lukaku beyond this season is if we make the Champions League.

Not even then, James. We have to assume that 1) Mourinho will want him back, 2) we can't hope to pay his price tag, and 3) Lukaku still cherishes his lifelong dream of playing at Stamford Bridge.

Seems to me the chances of all three of those conditions changing is pretty much zero.