Roberto Martinez today pledged to award Leighton Baines a
new contract at Everton and hailed the defender as both irreplaceable and one
of the most influential in the club's history.
Baines was the subject of several bids from former
manager David Moyes at Manchester United this summer, prior to the transfer
window closing on Monday, but the Blues refused to entertain any offers from
the Premier League champions for the England international.
And with the 28-year-old's current deal at Goodison Park
set to expire in summer 2015, Everton boss Martinez is keen to reward the
Kirkby-born player, who arrived from Wigan six years ago, by ensuring he is a
permanent fixture at his boyhood club for years to come.
