adminLONDON. — Everton confirmed yesterday they have turned down bids from Manchester United for two of their players, Belgium midfielder Marouane Fellaini and England defender Leighton Baines.“Everton can confirm that it has received bids from Manchester United for two players. Those bids were immediately rejected out of hand as derisory and insulting,” read an official statement released by the Merseyside club.
“The Club did not make public these details as it was vital (manager) Roberto Martinez’s preparations for the opening game of the Premier League season were not disrupted in any way.”
The statement came after several media outlets in the UK, including the BBC, reported that former Everton manager David Moyes had lodged a £28 million bid to bring the pair to Old Trafford, including £16 million for Fellaini.
A £23.5 million release clause in Fellaini’s contract expired at the end of July.
The Premier League champions are believed to have offered the same amount for 28-year-old Baines — £12 million — that they bid in June when the offer was flatly rejected.
Everton claim Moyes made an unwritten pact with the club not to try to sign their players when he left in the summer to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson.
Moyes signed both players for Everton, paying Wigan £6 million for Baines in August 2007 and signing the lanky Fellaini for a then club record £15 million from Belgian club Standard Liege in September 2008.
Moyes has been frustrated in the transfer market with attempts to bring Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas to United so far proving unsuccessful, while England striker Wayne Rooney appears to want to leave Old Trafford for Chelsea. United crushed Swansea 4-1 in their opening match of the Premier League season on Saturday, while Baines and Fellaini both played as Everton drew 2-2 with Norwich.
Moyes previously worked at Everton and is very familiar with England left-back Baines and Belgium midfielder Fellaini. And it has long been speculated that he might be keen to take one or both of the duo with him to Old Trafford.
However, Everton are determined to retain two of their most important players and even a bid of just under £30m has failed to shake their resolve.
Baines and Fellaini were both in the Everton line-up on Saturday as the Merseyside club began Premier League life under new boss Roberto Martinez with a 2-2 draw at Norwich.
United have offered £16 million for 25-year-old Fellaini just over a fortnight after a £23.5 million buyout clause expired, sources told ESPN.
The Premier League champions also attempted to include Baines (28) in their bid for a further £12 million — having had an identical offer for the England left-back rejected in late June. — AFP.
Online Reporter