Newcastle United reportedly can’t meet Leighton Baines’ wage demands.
According to The Chronicle, Newcastle United can’t afford to bring Everton’s Leighton Baines to St James’ Park due to his wage demands.
The Toffees are all poised to snap up Barcelona left back Lucas Digne, with the Frenchman all set to become their second signing of the summer after Richarlison’s arrival.
Digne’s arrival means that he is likely to become Everton’s first-choice left back, and veteran Leighton Baines will either serve as his deputy or look to move on.
The Chronicle note that Newcastle have been linked with a move for Baines, but a deal isn’t possible due to the wages needed to bring him to Tyneside this summer.
Newcastle do have one left back in Paul Dummett, but adding Baines as competition could have been a smart move given that Massadio Haidara was released this summer.
Baines, 33, has spent the last 11 years with Everton having arrived from Wigan Athletic in 2007, racking up more than 400 appearances whilst scoring an impressive 38 goals.
The current Everton vice-captain may well move on this summer, but Newcastle are seemingly backing out of the race already, with Rafael Benitez once again shackled by the financial restrictions at St James’ Park.
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