Manchester United Miss Out On First-Choice Defensive Target After Premier League Left Back Signs New Four-Year Deal

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Defender has been with the Toffees for the last seven years now. 

Everton left-back Leighton Baines has agreed a new four-year deal with the Merseyside giants that now ties the Englishman to Goodison Park until June 2018, according to reports on BBC Sport Online.

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Baines has been heavily linked with making a move to Premier League champions Manchester United in the recent past, with the Red Devils even lodging two bids with the Toffees for the 29-year-old during the previous summer transfer window, the second of which was worth £15m.

However, both those two offers were immediately rejected out of hand by Everton and now amid renewed interest in the England international from Old Trafford, Baines has agreed to extend his deal,which was due to run out in 2015.

“From every angle that you look at it, it is an incredible boost,” said Everton manager Roberto Martinez.

“He is one of the best left-backs in European football and has the World Cup around the corner. I’m looking at what Leighton can do and it is huge.”

“His best is yet to come. To be able to secure Leighton’s best years at Everton means a lot, especially in this January window where we are talking about having a strong squad going into the second half of the season.

“That is an important moment for us. You are talking about January signings and bringing players into the club but no-one will be bigger than having Leighton Baines focusing on being as good as he can be for Everton in the best years of his career.”