Everton will need to find a long-term replacement for Leighton Baines and Reading left-back Jordan Obita should be considered.
Jordan Obita is a product of the Reading academy
Everton will be on the look out for the long-term successor to Leighton Baines, who has been a mainstay in the Toffees defence since joining from Wigan Athletic in 2007.
The 32-year-old is contracted at Goodison Park until 2019, but he is now arguably approaching the final years of his career, it is likely that Everton will have one eye on his replacement. Reading left-back Jordan Obita would be viable option.
Leighton Baines is contracted at Everton until 2019
The 23-year-old has made 162 appearances for Reading after breaking into the first team back in 2013. Like Baines, he is a direct left-back that has a reputation for his crossing ability.
His attacking style of play he led him to being deployed in a more advance left midfield role on numerous occasions in his career.
He has notched up 18 assists for the Royals and the academy graduate is a firm favourite amongst the fans.
Jordan Obita made his debut for Reading in 2013
Obita, who narrowly missed out on winning promotion with Reading recently, will be entering the final year of his contract at the Madejski Stadium and Everton should use this to their advantage by trying to secure his signature in a cut-price deal.
Everton have high hopes for Brendan Galloway, a left-back developed through their academy system, but a loan spell away from Goodison Park looks likely as he tries to recover from his torrid season-long spell at West Bromwich Albion last season.
For now, Baines will continue to be Everton’s first choice left back but if Obita did move to Merseyside, developing his game as an understudy to the England international may be the next step in his promising career.
Jordan Obita played the full 120 minutes in Reading’s play-off final defeat
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