Everton and Baines agreed to a new four-year contract, Sky Sports confirmed.

Baines was the subject of a failed bid from Manchester United and former manager David Moyes last summer, and has now committed his future to Everton.

Baines is reportedly close to signing a long-term deal with Everton, ESPN reports. The club has consistently turned down bids for Baines since the summer transfer window and are hopeful to extend the defender beyond when his contract expires in June 2015.

Baines has been an integral part of the Everton defense but is also a great fantasy contributor. He has been near the top of scoring for defenders the past two years and staying with Everton could help sustain his consistency.

Baines played the full 90 minutes Saturday and helped Everton keep a clean sheet in their 2-0 win over Norwich City. Baines finished the match with just one shot attempt but provided plenty of value defensively by helping prevent Norwich City from scoring.

Baines has now played in three consecutive Premier League matches for Everton. While back spasms prevented him from playing in the FA Cup, it does not seem like any of his injuries are serious enough to prevent him from playing in Premier League matches. Baines continues to be an excellent fantasy option as a defender thanks to Everton's ability to prevent their opponents from scoring. If he can start to repeat his offensive explosion from last season, it will make his value sky rocket.

Baines sat out last weekend's FA Cup match against Queens Park Rangers due to back spasms, but manager Roberto Martinez does not think they will be an ongoing issue, the Independent reports. Martinez said Baines "was just a back spasm and he is recovering as we expected so I don't think he's going to be too far from being able to train. I would say Leighton will be back in training on Thursday."

Had Saturday's match been a Premier League encounter, it's possible that Baines could have been in the starting XI. Not to discount the FA Cup much, especially since Martinez has stated recently how much he enjoys the event, but it's clear that the Premier League matches hold more importance, especially given Everton's place in the table.

Baines scored a late penalty in stoppage time in order to salvage a point for Everton on Wednesday.

Amazingly, that's Baines' first goal in his last ten starts. Baines has been a bit out of form dealing with injuries and transfer rumors, but now that he's healthy, look for him to contribute a bit more in fantasy.

Baines was in the starting XI and played all 90 minutes of Everton's 2-1 win over Southampton on Sunday.

Baines managed only one shot in his return from a broken toe, while watching fellow-defender Seamus Coleman score his fifth goal of the year. The good news is that Baines is back, and with the little time off to rehab his injury, he will likely continue to be in the starting XI through New Year's Day.

Baines, who was unable to play Thursday against Sunderland, could return from his broken toe Sunday against Southampton, the North Wales Daily Post reports.

Baines hasn't played since he broke his toe against Liverpool on November 23, and was expected to return Boxing Day. His toe was clearly not up to par for that match, but Everton are hopeful he'll be able to feature this weekend.