Manchester United have seen an improved £36 million bid for left-back Leighton Baines and midfielder Marouane Fellaini rejected by Everton, despite the pair admitting they want to leave this summer. Yesterday,
we reported that Baines had told Goodison Park officials that he wanted to join United. And today, his colleague Fellaini also informed the Toffees that he
wants to join the Premier League champions (
Daily Mail). Neither have handed in written transfer requests but have indicated verbally that they would like to be allowed to leave. However, despite the England defender and Belgian midfielder wanting out, Everton have rejected United's new bid of £36 million, according to the
Express. United had already failed with a £26 million bid for the pair but their latest offer significantly cranks up the pressure on the Merseysiders with just three days until the closure of the transfer window. The Red Devil's latest bid sees Baines valued at just over £12 million and Fellaini closer to his recently-expired £23.5 million buy-out clause, which ran out at the end of July. United manager David Moyes is keen to add to his squad this summer with his only signing to date being rookie Guillermo Varela. And Everton are bracing themselves for life without their two star players this season, with boss Roberto Martinez admitting he has contingency plans. He said:
"The way you work in the transfer market is to always think about the unthinkable. You always have to work in a way which means that if the worst was to happen, and you picked up one or two injuries, you need to replace players. "Thats the norm so you always have to work like that. "I have told the chairman (Bill Kenwright) I dont want to know anything thats going on (with United). I only want to know the final news. I have had enough of 'he said this, he said that'. "This is sensitive."
It is understood Everton will go in for Blackpool's Tom Ince, Wigan midfielder James McCarthy and Manchester City's Gareth Barry if they lose Baines and Fellaini.