Manchester United Transfer News: Baines, Fernandinho, Evra And Cabella Involved In Latest Speculation

By Jason Le Miere | December 07 2012 1:07 PM

Manchester United could be set to overhaul their left-back options in the January transfer window by selling Patrice Evra and replacing the 31-year-old with Everton’s Leighton Baines.

Reuters

Leighton Baines ia widely regarded as one of the Premier League's finest left-backs.

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The Independent reports that Paris Saint-Germain are prepared to pay £5 million for France international Evra and that United may well be tempted to do business. Evra, who joined United in January of 2006, is one of United’s most experienced campaigners and has captained the side in the absence of Nemanja Vidic. However, his performances have been on the decline in recent times, with his defensive positioning coming under particular scrutiny.

It was widely reported that United boss Sir Alex Ferguson was seeking potential replacements in the summer, but instead Dutchman Alexander Buttner was signed and has been utilized as no more than backup to Evra this season.

Baines was repeatedly linked as the player to fill Evra’s position on the left side of defense and the Independent claims that interest could be renewed should PSG’s offer be accepted.

Another player that may be touching down at Old Trafford in January is Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Fernandinho. The Brazilian, who has excelled as Shakhtar have progressed to the knockout stages of the Champions League, has said that he will be moving to Manchester in the New Year, though refusing to say whether he would be joining United or City.

“I am closing a deal with an English club,” the 27-year-old told Calciomercato. “I will play in Manchester in January.”

The fact that Fernandinho would be cup-tied for the Champions League may mean that a move to United in January is unlikely. However, he is perhaps the box-to-box midfielder that has long been needed at Old Trafford.

A more attack-minded midfielder is also said to be on Ferguson’s radar. Montpellier’s Remy Cabella is interesting both Manchester United and Arsenal, according to the Sun. The versatile 22-year-old has contributed five goals and five assists in 22 appearances so far this season.

Despite Montpellier struggling in Ligue 1 and having already crashed out of the Champions League following the claiming of their first championship last season, president Louis Nicolin is reluctant to see Cabella leave.

“It will take a fortune for us to consider letting him leave,” Nicolin said, according to the Sun.