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Evra could make Monaco return

Patrice Evra left Monaco to join Manchester United in 2006 © PA Photos

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Manchester United defender Patrice Evra could be set for a return to Monaco, with a source close to the club telling ESPN that negotiations about a potential transfer have been ongoing for several weeks.

News of United's attempts to sign Everton's Leighton Baines has brought speculation about the left-back's future, but Evra has in fact been discussing the possibility of a move back to France since mid-April.

At the age of 32, Senegal-born Evra is open to the prospect of a return to the club he left to join United in 2006, with Monaco keen to seal a deal for the experienced defender ahead of their return to Ligue 1.

ESPN's source suggests Monaco are also interesting in signing United's Portugal winger Nani, but that move is on hold until new Red Devils boss David Moyes assesses his options when he officially takes charge at Old Trafford on Monday.

United are expected to improve on their initial £10 million offer as they look to sign Baines in the coming days, but will not meet the current asking price being proposed by Everton - believed to be around £20 million.

Meanwhile, Evra's move to Monaco will only be sanctioned if the deal for Baines is concluded, with United eager to have a signing in place before Moyes faces the media for the first time as United manager on July 5.

Evra arrived at Old Trafford in January 2006 and after initially struggling to settle he displaced Gabriel Heinze and has established himself as a mainstay in the United starting XI since, winning ten major trophies and being named in the PFA Team of the Year on three occasions.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.