Man Utd’s Belgian bargaining chip the key to claiming Everton star

After spending years trying to sign Leighton Baines from Everton, it appears Manchester United have given up and moved onto another Toffees fullback.

Seamus Coleman has developed into one of the best attacking right-backs in the Premier League over the past few seasons, and it seems the Irishman has caught Louis van Gaal’s eye.

The 26-year-old is being linked with a £25m move to Old Trafford this January, as Van Gaal seems to have run out of patience with Rafael and Antonio Valencia.

While Everton would be far from happy to sell a key player in the winter window, United might just have the perfect sweetener available to help push through a deal.

Roberto Martinez apparently has his heart fixed on a loan move for Adnan Januzaj to revive the Toffees’ flagging fortunes, and the Belgian might become part of any negotiations over Coleman.

Everton have lost three in a row and are 5/4 to reverse that run with a win at the even more hapless Hull in their next game, while United are 9/10 to make it eight wins out of 10 at Stoke on New Year’s Day.

As the Red Devils have kicked into gear over the past few weeks Januzaj has become an increasingly peripheral figure, playing just five minutes of United’s last eight league games.

Last year the Belgian emerged as one of the most exciting young players in Europe, but with Van Gaal preferring his other options, a loan to another Premier League side might be his best choice this January.

That would seem especially true if it helps the Dutchman land Coleman, whose attacking instincts would be a natural fit for the Red Devils.

Baines was the only defender to create more chances than his teammate’s 45 in the Premier League last term, and Coleman also notched six goals in 36 games.

Even as the Toffees have struggled this season the 26-year-old has continued to provide plenty of attacking impetus, recording two goals and two assists in 16 league outings.

Van Gaal has not been shy in making regular changes to his formation during his short spell at Old Trafford, but whatever system he uses, the Dutchman relies on his wide defenders getting forward regularly.

Coleman would seem the perfect man for the job in this regard, and if United are desperate to sign the Irishman this January, a Januzaj loan deal might be the best way to convince Everton to sell.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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