Manchester United chase Everton and Porto stars
Published:It’s once again been a relatively quiet summer in the transfer market for Manchester United – but that could all change in the coming days.
According to the Times, Sir Alex Ferguson is finally about to get Everton full-back Leighton Baines from Everton for a fee thought to be around £10million.
The Toffees had been hoping for double that sum but, with the player keen to move to the 19-times English champions, United are confident of pushing a deal through.
Ferguson views Baines as the long term replacement for Patrice Evra who has been short of his excellent best for a couple of season’s now. The Frenchman has even fallen below Gael Clichy in pecking order of the national team.
Meanwhile, United are also lining up a bid for Porto midfielder Joao Moutinho – but face a tough battle with Tottenham Hotspur.
Andre Villas-Boas has allegedly identified the playmaker as his number one target this summer, but the Portuguese side are allegedly hanging on for a huge transfer fee of around £30million – an amount that would smash Spurs’ transfer record.
According to the Metro, United have already had a bid of around £20million rejected, although Porto are thought to be resigned to losing the 25-year-old, who is regarded as one of the finest playmakers currently operating in Europe.
Meanwhile, Arsenal believe that captain and top-scorer Robin van Persie can be convinced into doing a U-turn and commit his future to the Gunners.
Van Persie has stated his intention not to renew his contract which is up next summer but, according to the Daily Mail, the Arsenal hierarchy are very hopeful of persuading the Dutchman to stay.
