Long-serving Everton defender Leighton Baines is ready to leave the club for the MLS this summer, according to the Mirror.
The newspaper report that the left-back could follow teammate Wayne Rooney to the USA, with England’s record goalscorer heavily linked with a move to DC United.
The Mirror claim that senior star Baines is now set to leave Everton after 11 years, with the Philadelphia Union and Chicago Fire both showing interest in his signature.
Good move for Everton?
Putting sentiment aside, yes.
Baines is a bit of a legend at Goodison Park after 11 years of service, and will always be held in extremely high regard in the blue half of Merseyside.
However, at 33 years old time is catching up with the flying defender, and injuries saw him make just 29 appearances in all competitions last season.
The time is right for Baines to move on with Everton in need of a more dynamic left-back, and a move to the MLS seems to make sense for all involved.
This is Futbol rating: 8/10
Likely to happen?
It looks like this one is indeed going to happen this summer.
It has always looked likely that Baines would move on soon from Goodison Park, and it looks like he will take his leave from his beloved club in the coming weeks.
With teammate Rooney also considering a move stateside, Baines now looks like he will join him in the MLS and end his career in a division with fewer physical demands than the Premier League.
This is Futbol rating: 8/10