Leighton Baines

Rozay

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Signing Baines + a youngster like Shaw would make sense. Then again, so would just signing Coentrao .
Not a chance we would go and sign two LBs for £20m each over the next two windows. Even PSG wouldn't do that.
 

LonelyFire

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He would at least ping in better crosses than Evra. Anyway, there's nothing stopping us from buying Shaw and loaning him back even if we do get Baines.
I dont see us making an outlay of £40m on 2 left backs - it would be completely ridiculous. Its one or the other, and as i said, Chelsea will be all over Shaw this summer.

As for better crossing ability we are agreed. His delivery is fantastic. Its just the age thing for me that makes this a bit of an issue.
 

Antisocial

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Bringing this in here before the Twitter thread gets another telling-off :nervous::


Good decision by him I think - Everton are obviously doing well right now (though probably overachieving all things considered) and he seems to be loved and settled there. Moving to us right now with all that's going on here probably isn't as attractive as it might once have been for him.
 

SilentWitness

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Aye, great news. Wouldn't have minded as much if he left if we were getting the fee said by the paper considering Oviedo has looked very good this year but it's always a good sign that you're keeping your best players whilst having an intent to improve the squad and the team (Signing McGeady, looking for another Striker, etc).
 

Brophs

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I'd imagine he made this decision based on us not being willing to pay the fee Everton want.
 

Adebesi

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Not sad about this, if true. He is 29. Would sooner we bought someone younger and talked Evra into hanging around another year or two. Plus I dont think it will do Moyes any good to keep signing Everton players, he should be out there sampling the delights the world has to offer not sticking to what he knows at the exclusion of all else. Its like he came to dine at a fine restaurant but brought a packed lunch his missus made with him. Set aside your ham roll, man, and take a chance from the menu. Show people you havent forgotten how to use a knife and fork.
 

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Aye, great news. Wouldn't have minded as much if he left if we were getting the fee said by the paper considering Oviedo has looked very good this year but it's always a good sign that you're keeping your best players whilst having an intent to improve the squad and the team (Signing McGeady, looking for another Striker, etc).
McGeady is a poor signing, blooper by Martinez that one.
 

SilentWitness

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McGeady is a poor signing, blooper by Martinez that one.
It will really depend on how much he intends to use him. Reports were that he was keen on him at Wigan and if he was still there i expect he'd be starting him every week. I'd have thought he'd just be a squad player to us unless he proves he can play to his talent. Naismith isn't the best of players but he does a decent job when the squad needs him.
 

UnofficialDevil

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Bringing this in here before the Twitter thread gets another telling-off :nervous::


Good decision by him I think - Everton are obviously doing well right now (though probably overachieving all things considered) and he seems to be loved and settled there. Moving to us right now with all that's going on here probably isn't as attractive as it might once have been for him.
Good, I'd much rather we went for Luke Shaw.
 

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How do they know he changed his mind, when he never expressed that he wanted to go to United in first place? Martinez praised him after summer transfer window for staying quiet.
 

OnlyTwoDaSilvas

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Good news. Baines would have offered us something good, but he would have cost alot of money because he's essentially indispensable to Everton. Wouldn't have been transfer representing good value, and whilst he could arguably be an improvement on Evra's current form, it wouldn't have been a great enough improvement to justify such a fee.

I imagine Coentrao would command a lesser fee, and could be much better. I'm still suspect to him defensively, but I think he could iron out defensive lapses with more consistent game time than he's getting currently. The fact that he can play on the wing and in midfield is certainly appealing too.
 

Cantona'sCollar

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Its like he came to dine at a fine restaurant but brought a packed lunch his missus made with him.

:lol: I like the analogy, very good.

Good to see Baines is staying on at Everton - we need youngsters to gradually take over the mantle from Evra, not an already-peaked player who will also be on the decline after a season or two. Baines seems to have his defensive frailties overlooked because he is fairly unspectacular (outside of free-kicks) and English - he is not a huge improvement on Evra defensively, and going forward i'd say his style is not exactly suited to us, as we have no players bar Chicharito who will make good use of his crossing.
 

Carl

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Why the sad face? Has he signed a new deal?
 

Carl

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Would have been a really good signing for us but I do agree it would have been a lot of money for a short term fix.
 

Adebesi

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@Ekeke, when we were discussing contracts the other day in the Rooney thread and you said you thought if he signed a new deal it could be just to strengthen our hand in our negotiations with other clubs ahead of his imminent sale, would you apply the same logic here? Is this transfer still potentially on or would you say Baines signing a new deal puts the matter to bed? And if it is the latter, what's the difference between the two situations?
 

Carl

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@Ekeke, when we were discussing contracts the other day in the Rooney thread and you said you thought if he signed a new deal it could be just to strengthen our hand in our negotiations with other clubs ahead of his imminent sale, would you apply the same logic here? Is this transfer still potentially on or would you say Baines signing a new deal puts the matter to bed? And if it is the latter, what's the difference between the two situations?
This deal is dead now. This deal means he won't come cheap and in the Summer he'll only be a few months away from 30.
 

Adebesi

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This deal is dead now. This deal means he won't come cheap and in the Summer he'll only be a few months away from 30.
I agree, dead as a dodo. The point is I would say the same in the Rooney situation, if Rooney signs a new contract with us then I think he's staying. But in the Rooney thread there were people who thought signing a contract would be more tactical and doesnt necessarily mean a prospective deal is off. So I was wondering if that would apply in other instances or if it is a Rooney specific thing.
 

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@Ekeke, when we were discussing contracts the other day in the Rooney thread and you said you thought if he signed a new deal it could be just to strengthen our hand in our negotiations with other clubs ahead of his imminent sale, would you apply the same logic here? Is this transfer still potentially on or would you say Baines signing a new deal puts the matter to bed? And if it is the latter, what's the difference between the two situations?
Yes I think its clearly different. The fact is Baines isnt Rooney.

Wayne Rooney is the top English player in the league, Leighton Baines is a very good leftback who 1 premier league club wanted last summer and is will be 30 years old before the year's end. Its very very likely that Baines has now missed the boat with playing for a top club.

Wayne Rooney definitely hasnt missed the boat for playing for another top club. Several of them would take him provided the price is right. He'll only be at the stage where he's too late to be a big signing at a new top club when he's approaching 30 like Baines. Even then top clubs would take him provided he doesn't cost an over the top amount.

There's also the fact Rooney has twice asked to leave United and Leighton Baines has been loyal to Everton. He's unlikely to now push for a move and has maintained all along that he's happy to stay at Everton, something Rooney hasnt said about United
 

charleysurf

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Would have been a really good signing for us but I do agree it would have been a lot of money for a short term fix.
Yeah, I think he would have been great for us. But my main concern is that we have done nothing to address LB in this window. It's a huge risk with Evra's indifferent form and aging legs, and Buttner as "back up". Could cost us any chance of 4th place, or significant progress in the CL.
 

Carl

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I agree, dead as a dodo. The point is I would say the same in the Rooney situation, if Rooney signs a new contract with us then I think he's staying. But in the Rooney thread there were people who thought signing a contract would be more tactical and doesnt necessarily mean a prospective deal is off. So I was wondering if that would apply in other instances or if it is a Rooney specific thing.
I'm with you on the Rooney thing too. If Rooney wants to leave why on Earth would he sign a new deal? He knows the club would be pretty powerless in the Summer as things stand whereas if he signs a new deal he'd command a pretty hefty fee and we could be choosy about who we sold him too.

Must admit I'l be surprised if he stays.
 

Carl

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Yeah, I think he would have been great for us. But my main concern is that we have done nothing to address LB in this window. It's a huge risk with Evra's indifferent form and aging legs, and Buttner as "back up". Could cost us any chance of 4th place, or significant progress in the CL.
Still time to bring someone in this window. Surprised the Contrao (sp?) deal hasn't gone ahead.
 

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Yes I think its clearly different. The fact is Baines isnt Rooney.

Wayne Rooney is the top English player in the league, Leighton Baines is a very good leftback who 1 premier league club wanted last summer and is will be 30 years old before the year's end. Its very very likely that Baines has now missed the boat with playing for a top club.

Wayne Rooney definitely hasnt missed the boat for playing for another top club. Several of them would take him provided the price is right. He'll only be at the stage where he's too late to be a big signing at a new top club when he's approaching 30 like Baines. Even then top clubs would take him provided he doesn't cost an over the top amount.

There's also the fact Rooney has twice asked to leave United and Leighton Baines has been loyal to Everton. He's unlikely to now push for a move and has maintained all along that he's happy to stay at Everton, something Rooney hasnt said about United
So there's the age thing.... which is actually a similarity, not a difference. And then there is the fact Rooney has asked to leave and Baines hasnt. Ill give you that, its a tangible difference. Still a pretty insignificant factor though, for me, compared to the far more relevant similarity of putting pen to paper on a legally binding contract. Baines will stay at Everton and if Rooney signs a contract with us he will stay too.
 

charleysurf

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Still time to bring someone in this window. Surprised the Contrao (sp?) deal hasn't gone ahead.
Doesn't seem to be on the cards. And Shaw looks Chelsea promised. I reckon we're going to roll the dice on Evra for what remains, and address this is in the summer. Big risk.
 

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So there's the age thing.... which is actually a similarity, not a difference. And then there is the fact Rooney has asked to leave and Baines hasnt. Ill give you that, its a tangible difference. Still a pretty insignificant factor though, for me, compared to the far more relevant similarity of putting pen to paper on a legally binding contract. Baines will stay at Everton and if Rooney signs a contract with us he will stay too.
A "legally binding contract" that can be bought out by any club who reaches an agreement with us seconds after its signed. So not very binding is it. Its binding until it isn't, which is whenever we fancy.

It just means theres more of a contract to buy out.

There is also the age thing, which is a difference given Rooney is 10 months/a season younger.
 

Adebesi

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Oh come on Ekeke, 10 months is nothing. Baines could age better than Rooney and last 2 or 3 seasons longer, who knows? With all the variables under consideration when making signings or awarding contracts, a 10 month difference in age is pretty insignificant, surely, compared to the sums we are talking about for buying out a new, freshly signed contract.

Like I said I think you have a point that Rooney has been quite clear about wanting to leave and Baines has been more reserved and more outwardly loyal, whatever that means. That is a factor worth considering. Still think the money is the big issue and in that respect the signing of a contract is for me a very clear indication a player will be staying put. Ronaldo being the already-cited exception to that rule.
 

Eric'sCollar

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Great news, signing wouldn't have made any sense considering what it would have cost.
 

Ekeke

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Oh come on Ekeke, 10 months is nothing. Baines could age better than Rooney and last 2 or 3 seasons longer, who knows? With all the variables under consideration when making signings or awarding contracts, a 10 month difference in age is pretty insignificant, surely, compared to the sums we are talking about for buying out a new, freshly signed contract.

Like I said I think you have a point that Rooney has been quite clear about wanting to leave and Baines has been more reserved and more outwardly loyal, whatever that means. That is a factor worth considering. Still think the money is the big issue and in that respect the signing of a contract is for me a very clear indication a player will be staying put. Ronaldo being the already-cited exception to that rule.
Its the difference between a little and a lot of money. Does a player have 8 months on his contract or 18? Its also the length of a huge injury layoff or a huge increase or decrease in a player's profile. 10 months ago Mata was Chelsea's clear, best player. Now he's joining United as a Chelsea backup. 10 months or a season is a long, long time in football and of course it makes a difference if a player plays for your club for 3 years like Baines or 4 years like Rooney.

There are certain cut-off points where you'll find clubs generally don't pay a lot for a player or think about moving a player on or not offering them a new deal. One of those is about 28 the next is 30, the next is about 32. Leighton Baines is close to not being valuable even if he has a long contract. If Rooney had a long contract without any special agreements we might not know about, he'd still be very valuable player. And that 10 months makes up a large part of the difference.

If we swapped their ages around and Rooney was 10 months older than Baines, Rooney a player of 29 years of age could have a 5 year solid contract and he still wouldnt be worth a huge amount of money to the buying club just because he's nearing that next magic cutoff point where clubs get a bit nervous.