With the Lions, Wimbledon and the British Grand Prix, football finds very little space on today’s back pages. The transfer rumours, however, are alive and kicking and, in the latest chapter of what has all the attributes of a possible saga, United are reportedly ready to increase their bid for Everton full-back Leighton Baines.
Having refused an initial offer of around £10m-£12m on Thursday night, Everton yesterday admitted the England international would be allowed to leave were United to meet Bill Kenwright’s economical demands. The response from Goodison Park led many Reds to wonder whether United really need to invest £20m on a left-back soon to be 29 and, therefore, not many years away from losing that all important extra yard of pace upon which full-backs build their careers.
United’s initial offer was deemed “an insult to Everton Football Club” by Micky Quinn on talkSPORT, highlighting yet again his systematic failure to adopt an impartial approach an all the things Red. To many, United’s offer made perfect sense, considering Baines’ age and abilities, but today the Guardian and the Telegraph report that David Moyes might well be forced to spend in the excess of £12m to secure the England international.
Baines had already been approached by United last season, with Everton adamant that the starting price would be around £18m but, 12 months on, the England international has only two years left on his contract and the Guardian claims that the 28-year-old finds himself in a “now or never” situation as far as his move to United is concerned.
A left-back might arrive, but a centre-back could be poised to leave, at least according to the Mirror. The tabloid believes that Reds captain Nemanja Vidic could be a target for AC Milan, should United complete the signing of Ezequiel Garay from Benfica.
The story, in truth, seems rather far-fetched. What, instead, is more than plausible, despite appearing on the Daily Mail, is Wayne Rooney’s intention to leave the club.
“Rooney,” claims the Mail, “is evidently in no mood for reconciliation and is expected to tell Moyes he still favours leaving.”
David Moyes, at long f***ing last, returns from holiday tomorrow and officially begins his Manchester United career meaning that, by next week, we should have a clearer picture of how the summers is going to pan out.
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