Veteran Everton defender linked with fourth MLS club

As Leighton Baines approaches the twilight of his career, it appears interest in the Everton veteran continues to ramp up from the MLS.

Neil Jones reports in Goal.com today that a fourth American club will be looking to bring him in this summer, the Portland Timbers. He has previously been linked with the LA Galaxy, Philadelphia Union and Chicago Fire as well.

The 33-year-old has been with the Blues since 2007, but in the last couple of years has seen his performances drop off. Everton’s failure to address the position on a long-term basis has meant that when Baines has been out injured it’s been a motley cast of characters filling in.

The veteran has another year on his current deal, having featured 403 times for the Blues with 38 goals and 66 assists in that time. Baines also has 30 England caps, having scored just the once.

Nearly half-a-dozen players have been linked with filling the fullback position this summer, with the latest being Kieran Tierney. Earlier this summer Marvin Plattenhardt and Wendell from the Bundesliga were also linked, yesterday Lucas Digne was thrown into the mix and today we also heard Jordan Lukaku and Dalbert Henrique have come into play as well.