Report: Everton hero Leighton Baines keen to stay despite MLS links

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Everton defender Leighton Baines was reportedly on his way to Major League Soccer, but it appears that he is now planning to stay put.

According to a report from BBC Sport, Leighton Baines is now keen to remain at Everton as the Toffees close in on a new manager, despite reports linking the left-back with a move to Major League Soccer.

Baines is a Goodison Park hero, having made over 400 appearances for the Toffees since joining from Wigan Athletic back in 2007. BBC Sport reports that he has one year left on his contract with the club, so perhaps there may well have been a number of supporters who were concerned by the reports from earlier in the week that suggested that his future lie elsewhere.

According to a recent report from The Sun, LA Galaxy and Los Angeles FC were ready to battle it out for Baines’ signature – and the 33-year-old was expected to make the move to America.

But BBC Sport is now suggesting that the defender is planning to stay put this summer and begin a 12th season on Everton’s books. The news is likely to go down extremely well with the majority of the Goodison Park faithful.

Baines may be edging towards the twilight of his career and may perhaps only have one more season left at Everton – if a new deal is not agreed at some stage – but he remains an important part of the squad, having made at least 29 appearances in all competitions in every single season that he has been attached to the club.

And with the team not exactly blessed with great depth on the left-hand side of defence, keeping Baines for another year seems to be an extremely smart move for the Toffees as they look to bounce back from an underwhelming campaign this past season.