We have just said our goodbyes to Phil Jagielka after Everton allowed our captain’s contract to expire, and some fans may have been fearing the same outcome for Leighton Baines.
The veteran left-back’s current deal is due to expire on June 30, and with the release of our retained list expected toward the end of the week, an update on the Kirkby-born defender’s future is imminent.
It could be a case that we lose two influential veterans in a matter of days, but Alan Myers, a reporter for Sky Sports, has suggested the club have offered Baines a one-year extension to his current £70,000-a-week contract, and feels the 34-year-old will put pen to paper next week.
That would likely mean our left-back cover is sorted for another season, and potentially allow one of Antonee Robinson or Matt Foulds to leave Merseyside on loan for the campaign, and gain valuable first-time experience after their efforts in our academy.
It would also give us all a proper chance to say our goodbyes to Baines, as the 2007 arrival – who has played 411 competitive games for the Toffees – last wore Royal Blue in February.
When Myers’ claims were later shared on Reddit, here’s how these Everton fans reacted…