Manchester United will return for Leighton Baines in January and expect to complete the signing of the Everton left-back for £15m.
Red Devils boss David Moyes failed in several attempts to sign the England international in the summer, but is determined to land a man who was a key player during his time in charge of the Toffees.
According to the Daily Express, the Goodison Park hierarchy know that Baines is keen to work with Moyes again at Old Trafford and feel that it would be unfair to deny the set-piece specialist the biggest move of his career, considering the loyalty that he has shown to Everton over the years.
The same source also understands that the Merseyside outfit may be willing to sell one of their main assets because he turns 29 in December, and have already identified younger alternatives.
Baines signed for the Toffees from Wigan Athletic for £6m in 2007 and has gone on to make 255 appearances for the club, and could follow £27m-man Marouane Fellaini from Everton to United.
Joe Fish
