David Moyes’ era at United kicked off in fashion on the pitch, but the United manager continues to have no luck in the transfer window as United suffered another setback in their bid to strengthen the squad before September 2.
The latest reports suggest that Everton have turned down a £28 million offer from the Premier League champions for Leighton Baines and Marouane Fellaini as David Moyes knocked on his former club’s door in an effort to secure his first two signings as Manchester United manager, since signing Uruguayan youngster Guillermo Varela.
United had a £12m offer for Baines rejected earlier in the summer, a sum Moyes himself labelled as “ridiculous” when Sir Alex Ferguson offered the same amount 12 months ago and reports suggest that Everton have felt offended by the derisory amount United offered for their two key players.
The offer is particularly complicated to understand when one considers that Marouane Fellaini’s release clause was worth £23.5 itself, while Everton are thought to demand at least £15 for Leighton Baines, a sum many consider reasonable for a player who has emerged as one of the best full-back in the country and who’s also an England international.
United let Fellaini’s clause expire and offered only £16m for the Belgian international, while Everton are thought to be demanding at least £40m for the pair but, after deeming United’s opening offer as “insulting”, it’s hard to fathom whether Roberto Martinez and Bill Kenwright would be willing to do business.
United’s strategy this summer has been nothing short of shambolic and the club’s decision to enter the final two weeks of the transfer without strengthening their squad has been widely criticised and has also placed them in a very difficult situation. By growing increasingly desperate for a signing, they encourage rival clubs to demand bigger fees and United’s penchant for offering considerably less than the asking price only serves to make negotiations even more complicated.
More to follow
