Everton manager Roberto Martinez has suggested that he wants to offer full-back Leighton Baines a new contract as a "reward" for his services to the Merseyside outfit.
The England international has been linked with a move to Manchester United following David Moyes's decision to leave Goodison Park for pastures new with the Premier League champions.
"It is very important and it's a case of rewarding players who have been phenomenal for the football club," Martinez told the club's official website. "I think Leighton is in that category.
"The chairman is very keen to express that and obviously I'm desperately looking forward to meeting the players. For Leighton, as the top performer he has been in the last few years, it is important that we reward his work and make sure that he can look forward to kicking on to the next chapter of his career with Everton."
Baines has two years remaining on his current deal.
