Manchester United Defender Target to be Offered New Deal

Incoming Everton boss Roberto Martinez will offer Toffees' left-back Leighton Baines a new contract, to fend off interest from Manchester United. Scot David Moyes, who takes official charge at Old Trafford on 1 July, is keen to bring his star players from Goodison Park and has reportedly also earmarked Marouane Fellaini.

The Spaniard, however, is eager to retain the left-back as he looks to deliver on his promise of Champions League football for his new club. Baines had a strong 2012/13 Premier League season, scoring five goals and creating five more; he started all of Everton's 38 league games.

The Toffees finished sixth, above local rivals Liverpool for the second season in a row.

"It's about rewarding players who have been phenomenal for the football club and I think Leighton is in that category. The chairman is very keen to express that and obviously I'm desperately looking forward to meeting the players," Martinez explained.

"It is important that we reward his work and make sure that he can look forward to kicking on and go into the next chapter of his career with Everton. That's important for the club as a whole, not just the dressing room," he added.

Martinez also confirmed defender Phil Jagielka will retain the captain's armband for the new season.

"I've been a big admirer of Phil and I do feel now he is at the peak of his career in terms of the leadership he has achieved when representing England and for a few seasons at Everton. It is the right moment for him to take that role and for me it is very representative of the standards of the club on a daily basis," he concluded.