EVERTON PLACE £17M PRICE TAG ON BAINES
Manchester
United's pursuit of Leighton Baines remains in the early stages despite
recent speculation that a deal is close to completion.
The Sweeper understands that the interest from Old Trafford has not yet progressed beyond informal discussions.
Should United step up their chase, Everton intend to remain firm in their resolve to hang on to England's deputy left-back.
It
is understood that the Merseysiders privately value Baines at £17
million, a sum they feel could be beyond what United are willing to pay.
Sir Alex Ferguson's team have been priced out of moves for Luka Modric,
Eden Hazard and Wesley Sneijder in recent times.
As Goal.com
revealed earlier this month, United fringe players such as Ji-Sung Park
and the Da Silva twins Fabio and Rafael have been mentioned as possible
sweeteners in a deal for Baines.
Nevertheless, Everton manager
David Moyes is said to be privately belligerent in his desire to keep
hold of the former Wigan man, despite the Toffees' financial problems.
The
27-year-old was named in the PFA Premier League team of the year
following an outstanding 2011-12 campaign and Everton's system is built
around his raids from left-back. He is also the team's set-piece
specialist.
Speaking at the end of May, Baines described United's
reported interest in him as a big compliment: "The United link is
flattering. There is no harm in people talking about it because it is a
great club. But I'm at a great club as well, a club that I love.
"Would
it be hard to turn United down? I'm not letting my focus shift to that
while I am in camp [with England]. I'm focused on what I'm doing at the
moment. Would it be hard to leave Everton? Yes, obviously. You know what
it means.
"I've been there for five years myself but also know first-hand what it means to a lot of people so, yes, it would be."
BALE TOLD TO PREPARE FOR MOVE ABROAD
Tottenham fans breathed a sigh of relief on Tuesday when Gareth Bale signed his third contract extension in three years.
The Sweeper
understands that the long-term plan of Bale's management team is a move
abroad, despite continued interest from the two Manchester clubs.
A source said: "They have convinced Gareth that the next big move is abroad and have told him to 'prepare yourself for it'.
"Gareth's agents don't feel he is ready yet for a move overseas because they fear for his ability to manage it."
Real
Madrid and Barcelona have both let their interest in the left-sided
flier be known and have scouted the 23-year-old extensively over the
last 18 months.
VAN PERSIE DUE BACK AT ARSENAL IN MID-JULY
The Arsenal training ground promises to be unusually quiet during the early weeks of pre-season.
The
first group of players, including Thomas Vermaelen, Andre Santos and
Abou Diaby, are due to report back to the club on Monday, June 9
following the summer break.
Those who competed in Euro 2012 will
then return at staggered intervals, with the club permitting a minimum
of three weeks' rest for each player starting from when their team were
knocked out of the tournament.
This means that skipper Robin van
Persie, whose Netherlands team exited Euro 2012 on June 17, should be
back at London Colney in time for mid-July.
As revealed by Goal.com on Friday, up to six Arsenal players will be absent from the club in order to prepare for the Olympic Games.
Aaron
Ramsey and Kieran Gibbs are expected to be selected by Team GB, while
Henri Lansbury is also in contention for a place in Stuart
Pearce's18-man squad.
Park Chu-Young has been picked by South
Korea, Ryo Miyaichi will be selected by Japan and Johan Djourou is set
for a Switzerland call-up. 
