Arsenal target Everton’s £10m-rated Leighton Baines as a replacement for Gael Clichy – report

Leighton Baines, Everton(Getty Images)

Related Links

Teams

Players

Arsenal are reportedly lining up a move for Everton’s £10 million-rated left back Leighton Baines amid fears that Gael Clichy could leave the club for free.

Arsene Wenger is worried that Clichy will not renew his current contract with the club, which is set to run out next season, and the defender has indicated that he is not interested in opening discussions on a new deal until the end of the season.

Baines has been a stand-out performer for Everton in recent seasons and his form has not gone un-noticed; Wenger is now expected to test the Toffee’s resolve with a summer bid.

An Arsenal source has told Sportsmail: “Baines is a good defender first and foremost but Wenger likes how comfortable he is on the ball, particularly his delivery and set pieces. Wenger thinks Baines would slot straight into the team with little fuss. Also Baines knows the Premier League inside and out so he would not have to get used to English football like a foreign signing would.”

Everton would struggle to reject a big money bid for the left-back as they continue to be financially stretched, with manager David Moyes wanting to keep his best players but needing a cash injection for team-building.

It is a dilemma for Moyes who may again be forced to sell a key asset or two in order to finance moves for other players who could strengthen his squad overall. Moyes has seen Everton lose Wayne Rooney and Joleon Lescott during his tenure and is braced for a battle to hold on to Baines and Jack Rodwell this summer.