Napoli to fight United for £20m defender

Manchester United will have competiton from Napoli in their attempts to sign Everton left-back Leighton Baines this summer.

The Daily Mail is reporting that the Toffees are reluctant to let Baines leave and will demand a fee in the region of £20million if Sir Alex Ferguson is determined to take him to Old Trafford.

The Red Devils are reportedly not going to have it all their own way, however, as the Serie A side want the England international to replace former Liverpool full-back Andrea Dossena, who looks like leaving for AC Milan.

Baines’ reputation in his position has grown considerably in the past two seasons and he is now recognised as the regular back-up for Chelsea’s Ashley Cole in the national team.

United have been inked with a move for the 27-year-old a number of times already this summer, with him reportedly being seen as a long-term replacement for Patrice Evra.