England international’s current contract at Goodison runs out in 2015.
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Everton will offer defender Leighton Baines a new bumper contract in order to ward off interest in the player from Premier League champions Manchester United next year, according to reports in the Guardian.
The Red Devils have been keeping close tabs on the highly rated England international all summer long, with new United head coach David Moyes known to be desperate to bring a new left-back to Old Trafford this season.
However, the Scot failed with late bids on transfer deadline day for first Baines, worth £15m, and then when that offer was rejected by the Toffees, Real Madrid full-back Fabio Coentrao, as Moyes looked to bring in competition for current first-choice left-back Patrice Evra at Old Trafford this season.
It is understood though that the Merseyside giants were not prepared to allow both of their star players to move to United this summer, which is why Moyes was only able to sign Marouane Fellaini from the Toffees for £27.5m on Monday.
But with Everton said to be wary of their former manager returning for Baines when the transfer window reopens again in January, the club are now determined to tie the 28-year-old down to a new long-term contract before the new year in order to fend off any attempts by their rivals to lure the Englishman to the ‘Theatre of Dreams’.
And is is believed that Baines will be offered a raise in his current £50,000-per-week deal to £75,000 per week to reward the player for remaining on Merseyside this summer.