Brendan Galloway already had an uncertain future at Everton due to his lack of playing time in recent seasons, but the 23-year-old had half a chance of returning to the first-team if Leighton Baines wasn’t offered a new contract. Everton offered Baines a new deal until 2020, however, which may spell the end for Galloway.
The £23k-per-week left-back is out of contract next year, hasn’t played for Everton since January 2016 and finds himself linked with two Championship sides this summer – Wigan Athletic and Luton Town. Galloway impressed for the title-winning u23 side last season, but it wasn’t enough to get Silva’s attention. The Everton boss still prefers an ageing Baines to provide backup.
It’s been three-and-a-half years since his last first-team outing for the Toffees and Galloway has even struggled to impress in loan spells that followed – West Bromwich Albion (August 22, 2016 – April 9, 2017) and Sunderland (July 5, 2017 – May 31, 2018). Since joining from MK Dons in 2014, he’s made 21 appearances in all competitions but doesn’t look likely to make another.
Let alone Baines being preferred over Galloway, Antonee Robinson and Matty Foulds may now have a chance to impress in pre-season.