Exclusive: Bent tips Everton big name to re-sign for his old club after BBC update
Darren Bent has suggested that Everton defender Leighton Baines may want to return to play for Wigan Athletic before he hangs his boots up.
The former Aston Villa and Tottenham hitman, speaking exclusively to Football Insider assistant editor Russell Edge, has touted a move back to the north west side for the 35-year-old after coming through the Latics’ youth ranks.
Baines, who played 153 times for Wigan before joining Everton, is set to be out of contract this summer.
The BBC report that the Toffees have offered the veteran left-back a one-year extension to stay at Goodison Park.
Bent admits he cannot see Baines leaving Everton for a rival but believes he may want to finish his career at the club he started at as a youngster.
Bent told Football Insider: “I’m sure he might want to go back, I know he started at Wigan, so there’s always that hope to go back to the club he started at. A lot of these players like to go back to the clubs that they started at.
“If he ended up back at Wigan, would it surprise me? Probably not. I couldn’t see him going anywhere else outlandish, I couldn’t see him going somewhere random like Bournemouth or somewhere he’s got no need to do it.
“I think if Leighton Baines does leave Everton, it will be to somewhere that actually means something to him.”
Baines made his debut for Wigan back in 2002 and helped the club earn promotion to the Premier League in 2005.
Having moved to Merseyside in 2007, he has gone on to make 417 appearances for Everton, while he also has 30 caps under his belt for England.
In other Everton news, it can be REVEALED a Toffees’ loanee is set to sign a contract extension after a major development.