Moyes, United reportedly launching a bid for Leighton Baines

According to reports on some less than reputable websites, David Moyes and Manchester United have begun chasing Everton fullback Leighton Baines. We knew this was coming, either in reality or as a rumor, so we should all be prepared for this inevitable story cycle.

Reports have United offered £12 million for our beloved left back, which all Everton fans will immediately blow their stacks at simply because most will feel that the number is insulting.

It's not by the way, but we'd all like to get a much larger amount of money for Baines...and if Everton sell him -- something they claim to have no intention of doing saying that he's not for sale -- they'll get a heck of a lot more for the fullback.

Or at least they better considering the relative scarcity of quality, international level fullbacks that are out there.

The preferred outcome of all this gobbledy is for Baines to remain at Goodison and continue to do what he does best for Roberto Martinez. That said, the allure of playing at United and the perpetual empty pocket state of Everton's transfer finances could make a move inevitable.

I think Baines is best suited by staying at Everton and I'm not sure how well he'd fit at United, but when a writer and United supporter I trust is against this signing, I'm inclined to believe him.

Would it be the end of the world? No, it wouldn't and don't start going nuts on me for saying that. As good as the 28-year-old has been for Everton, there's always a point in the time line of talented players where a club that employees them will be offered a large amount of money by another club to take the player away. At that point the team must decide if the money that can be brought in, combined with the potential signings said money could bring in, is worth giving up a productive and talented part of the roster.

I'm not advocating selling Baines, I'm just trying to lay out the variables involved with this.

For the moment though this is just a rumor, so don't get yourself too worked up about it. It was inevitable we would deal with this during the summer and we'll have to wait and see how it plays out.