Man Utd Transfer News: Leighton Baines In For £15m?

According to reports in the Daily Mirror, Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is looking to push through the £15m purchase of Everton and England full-back Leighton Baines before the team head off for their pre-season tour of South Africa on 16th July. Everton are said to value the 27-year-old former Wigan full-back at around £20million, but Sir Alex sees £15m as a more realistic valuation for the player who the Toffees will regard as their most valuable asset. The player would offer United an extra attacking threat from deeper positions, as well as a willingness to put balls in the box from open play and set-pieces and a wicked free-kick that putshim amongst the best dead-ball specialists in the league. With a few concerns over Patrice Evra's form in the left-back berth this season (no doubt exacerbated by non-footballing scandals), Sir Alex is said to be interested in bringing in an alternative, more consistent option for his defensive corner-stone. Ferguson will reportedly look to finalise the deal for the player before the July tour commences, and add him to the touring squad, which will also feature fellow new signings Shinji Kagawa and Nick Powell. The newspaper are also reporting that Sir Alex is now resigned to losing out on Spurs attacking midfielder Luka Modric thanks to a difference in valuation, and the likely resistance the new manager will have to see one of the team's prized players leaving as soon as he arrives. What do you think Man Utd fans? Would you welcome the signing of Leighton Baines? Share your thoughts below.