Leighton Baines could be willing to call quits on his time at Everton next summer, according to a report.
Now Everton’s longest serving player, the left-back signed a one-year contract extension at the end of last season, while fellow long serving defender Phil Jagielka left the club after 12 years.
Now in his 13th season for the Toffees, Baines has yet to feature for Marco Silva’s first-team in the new campaign, while he also hasn’t yet made the bench as a substitute.
Ahead of potentially making his first appearances of the season against Lincoln City this evening, the Liverpool Echo claim that Silva has some big decisions to make regarding the full-back’s contract which will expire next summer, and whereas Everton will likely want him to stay, he will more than likely leave the club.
Baines is firmly behind Lucas Digne in the pecking order at Goodison Park, and with the club having sold Antonee Robinson to Wigan this summer, the 34-year old is Everton’s only back-up option.
The former England international made just five starts in the Premier League last season.
Read Everton Verdict
For this season, signing Leighton Baines to a new contract was an easy solution to a potential left-back problem. Everton had plenty to do in the transfer window, and in signing Baines to a new deal it meant the club didn’t need to look for a new back-up left-back, easing their workload slightly.
Going forward though, Everton need to check their sentimentality and think about the long-term future of the club. Lucas Digne has nailed down his spot, and he’s not anywhere near being done, he’s still only 26-years old.
However, Everton need to begin the search for a young and exciting prospect to join the club to play his understudy. If Baines wasn’t a long-serving fan favourite, fans would be happy to see him go. Sentimentality cannot hold Everton back, and as sad as it is to write, next summer will definitely be time for Baines to leave the club.
