United bid for Baines could be final straw for David Moyes
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Leighton strains: Manchester United bid for Everton star could be final straw for manager David Moyes
Toffees boss David Moyes is troubled by plans to sell off his star assets
Asset: Marouane FellainiManchester United's bid to sign Leighton Baines has been boosted by the news Everton have made plans to recruit Republic of Ireland international Stephen Ward.
Having snapped up midfielder Shinji Kagawa from Borussia Dortmund last week, United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is now keen to secure a deal for England left-back Baines.
Everton are understood to be demanding £15million for Baines, but United hope to reduce that fee by offering players for loan as part of the deal.
And United will be encouraged to find out Everton have already starting looking for replacements by joining the race to sign Wolves left-back Ward.
Like Baines, Ward is in Poland and Ukraine on Euro 2012 duty but the 26-year-old is expected to quit Molineux this summer. The thought of losing Baines is troubling Goodison Park boss David Moyes.
He will seek talks with chairman Bill Kenwright if the likes of Baines and Marouane Fellaini are sold.
Moyes has discussed extending his contract, which has 12 months to run. But he has asked for assurances that he would not have to cash in on his star players to raise money for recruitments.
Last summer, Everton lost Mikel Arteta in a £10m deal to Arsenal, and it wasn’t until Moyes was allowed to recruit Darron Gibson and Nikica Jelavic, then bring back Steven Piernaar on loan, that the Blues recovered to finish a respectable seventh.
During his 10 years at the club, Moyes has been given the final say on both arrivals and departures from his dressing room.
Assurances: Everton manager David Moyes
Target: Stephen Ward
But he has become increasingly disillusioned about working under a budget that doesn’t even allow him to spend the cash he generates through player sales.
Kenwright’s hopes of extending the 49-year-old Scot’s contract until 2015 are likely to hinge on the club’s resolve to keep two of their most important players.
Sunderland and Stoke have already made their interest known in left-back Ward, but Everton have also asked to be kept up-to-date with developments.
Ward was one of the few highlights of Wolves’ dismal relegation campaign and was one of only two players, Fulham’s Brede Hangeland being the other, to play every minute of the Premier League season.
Having suffered relegation to the Championship, Ward is now looking forward to a successful Euro 2012 campaign with Republic of Ireland – starting against Croatia in Poznan tonight.
“It’s been a long, tough season and a lot of lows at Wolves, but for myself and the Irish lads it’s great we are in the squad,” said Ward.
“There is no better remedy than going out to represent your country at a major championships.”
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why do none of the smaller clubs approach moyes to take over their teams?