Everton ‘confident’ star will extend contract

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Everton are said to be confident Leighton Baines will sign a one-year contact extension.

The club expect the former England international to agree ‘within the coming days’, as reported by The Liverpool Echo.

Marco Silva is ready to put his faith back in the 34-year-old, who is now second fiddle to Lucas Digne at Goodison Park.

The left-back has been with the club since 2007 and there had been some talk he would follow Phil Jagielka out of the club this summer.

Baines, who earns £70,000-a-week (Spotrac), has been a superb servant for the club and has made over 400 appearances in all competitions to date.

Should the latest reports be believed, he’ll be sticking around to add to that tally in 2019/20.

TBR’s view

Baines has been one of the Premier League’s best full-backs, but his best days are obviously long gone.

He has experience but he no longer possesses the same pace as he approaches his mid-30s.

Baines staying for one more season could see youngster Antonee Robinson leave the club on loan.

The promising USA international had targeted the first-team, but Marco Silva would surely find handing him opportunities difficult with Baines still in the picture.