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Manchester United will make it third time lucky by landing Leighton Baines for £16million in the January transfer window.

Sir Alex Ferguson tried to sign Baines in summer 2012 and his successor David Moyes also bid for the left-back from former club Everton in the summer.

Moyes pursued a double swoop for Baines and Marouane Fellaini, only to split the offer at the last minute when it became clear the Toffees would not sell the former.

But the champions are poised to get their man at the third attempt, with England international Baines set to move to Old Trafford when the window opens.

Patrice Evra is expected to leave United next summer to return to his native France, and Moyes sees Baines, 29, as his long-term successor at left-back.

United saw a loan move for Real Madrid left-back Fabio Coentrao fall through on deadline day, and it is a position Moyes is keen to strengthen.

The added attraction with Baines is that he will not be cup-tied in Europe, meaning he will be eligible for the Champions League should United progress.

Baines has seen his stock rise to the extent he is now rivalling Ashley Cole as England's first-choice left-back for next year's World Cup in Brazil.