Reports: £25 million price tag put on Manchester United target

Everton have placed a £25 million price tag on England full back Leighton Baines, in order to fend off interest from Manchester United.

United were interested in Baines in the summer, but the protracted transfer saga failed to reach a conclusion and the left-back stayed at Goodison Park. Goal have reported that Everton are as determined to keep Baines in January now as they were in the summer and have put a hefty price tag on him in the hope of warding off a similar transfer saga in this transfer window.

Manchester United manager David Moyes is keen on a left-back to replace Patrice Evra. The Frenchman is out of contract at the end of the season and has an uncertain future at Old Trafford. Even if he were to stay at the club Moyes would still require a long-term replacement for Evra, who will be 33 in May.

However Everton look set to stand firm in the face of United’s interest, having rejected numerous bids for the former Wigan man in the summer. News of Baines’ price tag comes following Toffees manager Roberto Martinez’s claim this week that he is “100% certain” of keeping Baines and fellow United target Ross Barkley.

Should Moyes miss out on his former player, who has recently returned to action following a month out with a toe injury, then it is understood that alternative targets include Real Madrid duo Fabio Coentrao and Marcelo and Southampton’s Luke Shaw.