Martinez throws down the gauntlet over Baines bids

Roberto Martinez has challenged Manchester United to test Everton’s resolve by making a mega-bucks bid for Leighton Baines in the January transfer window.

The Spaniard stresses that the England left-back is not for sale, but leaves the door slightly ajar by suggesting they might not dismiss a substantial offer out of hand.

United made two joint bids of £28 million and £36 million for Baines and Marouane Fellaini in the summer but ended up paying £27m for just the Belgian.

Banking that fee has removed any financial imperative to sell Baines and if David Moyes does come back in for his old player, he’ll clearly need to bring a sackload of cash with him.

“We don’t want to sell Leighton,” says Martinez. “We have never been in a situation where our valuation has been matched.

“If I want a player I need to match the other club’s valuation to put them and the player in a situation to make a decision.

“As a club we don’t need the money. We don’t need to balance the books and that is a situation we wanted to have to make football decisions, not financial decisions.

“We want to keep our best players but if someone comes in and offers £100m, say, then there is a decision to be made.

“Leighton is a vital member of the squad and an icon for the fans. All I want is for him to enjoy his football and be ready for the World Cup.”

Baines, who is due to return from a toe injury over Christmas, has 18 months left on his Goodison contract and Martinez confirms that no formal discussions on a new deal have been opened.

In the meantime, he is preparing for today’s visit to his old club Swansea and a face-to-face meeting with one of the men who inspired his football philosophy.

As a native Catalan, the young Martinez watched Johan Cruyff transform the fortunes of Barcelona by introducing a new passing playing style, and Swansea boss Michael Laudrup was one of his star performers.

“Johan set a very strong football philosophy and Barcelona are still getting the rewards now,” says Martinez.

“I followed the way the team developed into the ‘dream team’, one of the best in history.

“My idea of the game is Barcelona of 1993. What Cryuff did at the club gave me very strong football concepts and Michael was part of it.

“It’s ironic that he is now in charge at the club where I started my managerial career. It’s a full circle.

“Today’s game may be more like a La Liga game than a Premier League match.”