Wigan Athletic Football Club News

• Nickname:Latics
• Founded:1932
• Manager:Roberto Martinez

• Ground:JJB Stadium
• Capacity:25,000

Latics snub Toffees offer

31 Jul 2007 - 07:58:40

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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."