Tuesday Jul 31 2007 07:58
Wigan Athletic manager Chris Hutchings has confirmed that his club have turned down a cash-plus-player bid from
Everton for England Under-21s left-back Leighton Baines.
The 22-year-old was recently the subject of a major offer from Sunderland and Hutchings says that the Toffees package was not equal to that of the Black Cats.
He told BBC Radio Five Live: "We turned down a £4million-plus-player bid from Everton, that's as far as it has gone.
"I'd like him to stay, but I can't stop speculation and offers being made. However, it's bad business if we don't accept a bid similar to what Sunderland offered."
Sunderland boss Roy Keane had earlier hinted that Baines was holding out for a switch to Goodison Park, commenting: "It's disappointing, of course, but you can't win them all.
"Leighton's a nice enough lad, not a problem, but he had his reasons for not coming to the club and we have got to respect that and wish him well."
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