Carlo Ancelotti details intentions of Everton in negotiations with Leighton Baines
Carlo Ancelotti has shared his desire for Everton defender Leighton Baines to sign another contract to take him past this season at Goodison Park.
The Toffees veteran recently signed a one-month extension to remain at the club for the remainder of this season at the end of July.
Baines is Everton’s current longest-serving player, making 418 appearances since arriving from Wigan back in 2007.
Ancelotti reiterated his intentions on Tuesday, urging Baines to sign for an extra year in his pre-match press conference for the Leicester clash.
“Leighton Baines extended his contract until the end of the season, for one month more,” he told Sky Sports.
“After that, I think we have time to make a decision and wait for an answer. I hope [he will sign]. Leighton is an important part of this squad and, above all, of this club.
“We have a lot of respect for him as a player, as a professional and as a man.”
Everton have offered Baines a new 12-month deal at the club, but no agreement has yet to be reached between the two parties.
The 35-year-old has only made six appearances in the Premier League this season, with only three of those starts for the Toffees.
That makes it back-to-back seasons in which Baines has not made over 10 appearances in the top-flight, with the defender managing over 20 appearances in all but one season since 2010.
In other Everton news, Mark Lawrenson has predicted the scoreline as the Toffees welcome Leicester to Goodison on Wednesday