I hope we sign him then Evra would have to up his game as no doubt Baines would give Evra some much needed serious competition.I hope we sign him.I have always liked Baines hes a great defender and is a threat going forward aswell and is good at set pieces too which would be good.

agree completely, its been suggested that were only in for him so there is time for the da silva's to develop, but £12+ million forget it

You guys who are being a tad negative about this 'possible' signing I think there is something you're missing. OK there's two things, the extra one being that he is a very good player.

The one that I am talking about though is that if this is true then to me it's a very good sign, it's a sign that we're not just thinking about the future, we're thinking about the here and now. I have read many of you complaining over the years that it's alright buying young potential but until they're ready how do we compete now.

Baines would solve a rising issue immediately and, as others have said, buy time for our various young leftbacks to develope. Buying a 23 year old quality leftback would be a kick in the teeth of our aspiring youngsters, he's the perfect stop gap.

This is a positive move that suggests we're looking to hit back straight away rather than accept that City will have the edge on us for the next few seasons and hoping that our youth will soon catch up.

The situation is slightly different in midfield due to the fact that several of our midfielders are already at, or pushing the boundaries of, the end of their careers and the two rising stars that were closest to breaking through have left/leaving. Add to this the fact that a number of others are also either leaving or troubled by injury illness and it means it makes perfect sense to buy 21 to 23 year old established players.

Anyway back to topic and I think that the main reason Baines isn't to your liking is that he's not a big foreign name coming from abroad, an ex-wigan player even but then so was Valencia and 90% of you didn't want him either but look at him now. Give him 3 months in a United shirt and you'll be singing his praises that's for sure.

Where's the evidence of the deal reaching an advanced stage? Source please.

You guys are still mentioning younger left backs, this purchase is to give Evra competition for the next 2/3 years so we have back up in that area to take some pressure off Evra, there is no need to sign another young left back as this will only stifle the progress of Fryers and Fabio, if we buy a LB as a temp measure that will give us a good 3/4 years and give us that added bit of set piece magic then I think this is a crucial buy, especially if we want to progress in all competitions next year we need decent cover in all positions, I would personally welcome Baines with open arms because I think there's not many LBs in the world that have the kind of experience Baines has in the PL and can be trusted as much! Hope this deal goes ahead!

Real smart move, and if we can buy for only 12m even better, how old is he?

xSTONEYx187x:

I'd prefer if they put that £12 million toward signing Kagawa. Unless we really do have in excess of £70 million ...... :S

15 mil kagawa, 12 mill Bianes. Where are you getting the other 33 mil from?

A provern performer in the EPL who would give very good competition and cover for Evra, £12m for an established player these days is cheap, if we are after another left back why take a chance on an unproven foreigner for a few million less when you know that Baines would fit straight into the side straight away?

Baines wont be the Figure reported...cant see it being £12 0r £15 million...more the 7-10 .....he will be a good buy..its only his age that concerns me a bit? but the players of today are fit and there playng longer , at the back . good buy if we get him.

I'd prefer if they put that £12 million toward signing Kagawa. Unless we really do have in excess of £70 million ...... :S

Gerald G:

Let's hope not. I don't think he's better than Evra. Only has better set pieces and if he is better than Evra it's only slightly. He's 27, will be 28 in December and £15m? If we did that we're utterly stupid.

Finally someone who is thinking straight, I don't want him at OT either

Are you barking mad mate?

Let's hope not. I don't think he's better than Evra. Only has better set pieces and if he is better than Evra it's only slightly. He's 27, will be 28 in December and £15m? If we did that we're utterly stupid.

jamesthereddevil:

Am i the only person not particularly happy about this transfer?. Agreed hes not 'old' as such but hes 27, yeah hes a decent player for Everton does a good job granted hes fantastic at free kicks. But seriously? I do not see how he is united quality, maybe im missing something. Id rather invest in a younger quicker left back ie, cissokho. in my honest opinion i dont think the da silva twins will ever be good enough for united, sadly.

What about Fryers, Blackett and Givern?

Am i the only person not particularly happy about this transfer?. Agreed hes not 'old' as such but hes 27, yeah hes a decent player for Everton does a good job granted hes fantastic at free kicks. But seriously? I do not see how he is united quality, maybe im missing something. Id rather invest in a younger quicker left back ie, cissokho. in my honest opinion i dont think the da silva twins will ever be good enough for united, sadly.