Date of Birth: 11 12 1984
Place of Birth:
Position: Defender
Nationality: England
Leighton Baines Rumours and Transfers
14 08 2007
Wigan manager Chris Hutchings will step up his bid to sign Preston North End left back Matt Hill as he is looking to find a replacement for Leighton Baines who has moved to Everton.
Winger Kevin Kilbane had to play at left back against Everton at the weekend and is looking set to continue in the position against Boro Wednesday.
Hill recently signed a new contract at Deepdale and is presently injured, whilst 1st-choice target, West Brom's Paul Robinson, failed a JJB Stadium medical a fortnight ago.
Hutchings also watched Scunthorpe United left back Marcus Williams recently, with the player's agent, Nick Rubery, telling the Evening Post, "People have seen that Chris Hutchings was at the game against Lincoln and have maybe put 2 and 2 together that he was there to watch Marcus. Marcus is a quality player. There are some big clubs that have watched him and in the end he will make his way to the level he should be playing at. I am sure Chris Hutchings will be bringing in a left back over the next 2 or 3 weeks, so we will only must see what happens."
10 08 2007
New signing Jason Koumas has a point to prove when he returns to the Premier League stage with his new club Wigan.
Koumas realises he never fulfilled his possible in the top flight under Bryan Robson at West Bromwich Albion however at 27 thinks he is better equipped to do so.
Latics could have lost Leighton Baines to Everton this week however they stole a march on the Toffees to land £5.3 million Koumas, who was strongly tipped to end up at Goodison.
And the Welsh international expects to figure in midfield at Everton tomorrow inspite of picking up a toe injury that forced him to miss training earlier this week.
Koumas said, "I have heard people question my work rate and that has annoyed me because I am a better player than when I was last playing Premier League football and I was waiting for a few seasons to get back to this level. I now plan to make the most of it and, at my age and this stage of my career I need to be playing in the Premier League. The manager mentioned that he is determined to make me an even better player and that is the kind of thing you would like to hear. Wigan made it quite clear they would like me and it was important for me to be back competing against the best players and the best teams. This is what you would like to do and I am at a club now where I am happy and back in the north west. It is been the perfect move for me."
Koumas, born in Wrexham, started his career with Tranmere before moving on to West Brom.
He added, "It was a struggle for me to get back in to the Premier League however I knew where I would like to go and it was important for me to get back home. This is something I have would like for a while. The manager outlined his intentions and mentioned that we could be stronger than last year and that we could have a better season. The main aim is to make sure we are not in the trouble we were in last year. The team certainly is looking strong and I have settled in."
The arrival of Koumas was welcomed by fans who have felt Wigan have never really replaced former playmaker Jimmy Bullard whilst manager Chris Hutchings has high expects of his new signing.
"We would like to attempt to get the ball on the floor this season and we would like him to get the ball as much as probable so that he can show his creativity," he said.
"Jason has scored goals wherever he was so that shows he can do that as well as create for others."
Hutchings was counting the days down to the opener at Goodison.
He said, "There is a real buzz around the place and we have been working hard over the last 6 weeks because we do not want any ready-made excuses that it takes time for new players to blend and settle. We have a strong team and we have got good players and we hope they gel quickly. We are delighted with the transfers we have made already and I am sure a player of Jason Koumas's quality in midfield will really excite. We cannot rely on goals from one, 2 or 3 people. It is so important everyone chips in and we must make sure we attempt to get something out of the opening game. We have done well at Everton in the past and the atmosphere is sure to be terrific and we look forward to what lies ahead."
10 08 2007
Dutch midfielder Denny Landzaat is convinced there will be no repeat of last season when Wigan secured their top flight status in the final game.
The Latics were one of 3 clubs which would have been relegated on the last day of the season, however sealed their place in the Barclays Premier League by triumphing over Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.
Landzaat expects the club to learn and grow from the experience of flirting with relegation and much has changed since that vital win, not least of all Chris Hutchings' promotion to manager following Paul Jewell's shock resignation.
The former assistant manager was busy in the transfer market and there is an air of confidence in the camp ahead of the game against Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday.
Landzaat, 31, also has a personal goal in his 2nd season at Wigan, improving his scoring ratio.
He said, "We sign some quality players. The club is looking forward and that is good. We have a better team now. However, we know it is important to get off to a good start this season. I think I will be a better player as I now know what to expect of the Premier League. It was everything I thought it could be last season, fast and exciting. It is a fantastic league to play in. My personal aim is to score more goals as I only got 2 last season. I feel good and will do my best."
Landzaat is pleased that his old friend Mario Melchiot has joined Wigan.
The former Chelsea full back signed in the summer following a spell in France.
Landzaat said, "I have known Mario since our days in the youth academy. We played in the same side for years. He is a quality player and it is so nice he is here now at Wigan to help us."
Wigan manager Hutchings is probably going to switch midfielder Kevin Kilbane to left back tomorrow following the departure of Leighton Baines to Everton whilst new signing Michael Brown is ruled out through suspension
08 08 2007
Everton are attempting to seal an £8 million deal for Benfica's Manuel Fernandes after failing with an £11 million bid for Porto captain Luis Gonzalez.
Boss David Moyes switched his attention to Fernandes, who had a successful loan period at Everton last season, after Argentine Gonzalez signed a new deal.
The 21 year old is keen to return to the Premier League and was heavily linked with Manchester City.
Everton manager Moyes is also tracking Boro forward Yakubu.
Moyes has stepped up his transfer activity after completing a £6 million move for Wigan's England U21 defender Leighton Baines.
Fernandes started last season on loan at Portsmouth however moved to Everton in January and the elegant midfield man soon established himself as a fans' favourite.
And with Everton's bid to sign Gonzalez stalling, Moyes is trying to hijack Manchester City's move for Fernandes.
Sources on Merseyside also claim Moyes will table a club record £10 million offer for Yakubu however Boro are reluctant to part with the Nigerian striker.
Moyes requires to increase his striking options after selling James Beattie to Sheffield United and losing youngster James Vaughan for several months with a shoulder injury.
07 08 2007
Everton are ready to lead the way in a frantic burst of last minute pre season spending by bidding around £10 million for Boro forward Yakubu and £6 million for Benfica midfielder Manuel Fernandes.
With another Premier League campaign only 3 days away, the scramble for transfers became more desperate than ever as Everton, Sunderland, The Hammers and Villa all attempted to add to a summer of hectic transfer activity.
Scotland keeper Craig Gordon of Hearts is the subject of a £9 million fight between Villa and Sunderland, who have also admitted that an interest in Spurs forward Mido, whilst The Hammers are attempting to prise Nicky Shorey away from Reading for at least £5 million.
Everton look like emerging as the largest last minute spenders before the big Premier League kick-off, though, with Yakubu in the frame to smash their record transfer outlay of £8.6m, paid to Crystal Palace for Andy Johnson.
Manager David Moyes' £9 million spending on Sheffield United centre back Phil Jagielka and Wigan left back Leighton Baines has looked relatively modest by in the summer's standards.
But James Beattie's £3 million transfer to Sheffield United and a long term injury to James Vaughan, increased the club's requirement for more firepower.
After costing Boro £7.5 million from Portsmouth, Yakubu's valuation will be at least £10m, particularly with his old club and Manchester City inquiring about his availability.
Moyes has turned to Fernandes, who was on loan at Goodison Park last season, after admitting defeat over Argentina's Lucho Gonzalez, who has resigned for Porto.
Gordon, who will become the most expensive British keeper, had a conducted tour of the Stadium of Light Monday however left the door open for Villa to step in after hearing Martin O'Neill was given the go ahead to match the asking price. Sunderland manager Roy Keane has also mentioned he would like Mido whilst The Hammers are preparing a £5 million bid for Shorey and could go higher.
07 08 2007
Everton have completed the signing of Leighton Baines for an undisclosed fee.
The former Wigan full back has signed a 5 year contract with The Toffees.
Baines is Everton's 3rd major signing of summer following the likes of Phil Jagielka and Steven Pienaar into Goodison Park.
The 22 year old England U21 international supposedly discarded Newcastle and is pleased his future is now resolved.
"I am very happy now it is all done and I am looking forward to getting on with it," he informed the club's official website.
"I think people knew this was the place I would like to come and I am glad now that it is all done. I am a local lad and all my family support Everton so it is good to be here at last."
07 08 2007
Wigan manager Chris Hutchings is to resurrect his attempt to sign West Bromwich Albion full back Paul Robinson.
Hutchings is keen to bring in a replacement for Leighton Baines, who has left the club in a £6 million transfer to Everton, ahead of the new season.
The JJB Stadium manager saw an initial attempt to sign Robinson fall through after the 28 year old failed a medical last week, however Hutchings has now renewed his £3 million move.
"There is a bit of a stalemate on the medical side and with the fee as regards Paul Robinson," Hutchings informed the Daily Star.
"It is ongoing at the moment, however it depends on whether we can do anything different in terms of how we would like to pay the fee."
Hutchings, who had taken over at Wigan after Paul Jewell resigned at the end of last season, has had a busy summer in the transfer market as he is looking to avoid a repeat of the relegation battle which marred the previous campaign.
Wigan have brought in Titus Bramble, Antoine Sibierski, Mario Melchiot, Jason Koumas, Michael Brown, and made the loan move of Andreas Granqvist permanent in the close season.
Inspite of the large number of new faces, Hutchings is happy with how his team is coming together as they build up for their Premier League kick off at Everton on Saturday.
"Obviously bringing several new faces in it takes time to gel, however they appear to have settled in very quickly," Hutchings informed SkySports News.
"But, the real test will be in the 1st game and that is what we are looking forward to."
06 08 2007
Sunderland confirm they have made a bid for Spurs forward Mido.
The 24 year old had looked set to join Birmingham for £6 million however the deal fell through, with the Blues blaming the player's demands for contract clauses.
Now Sunderland manager Roy Keane has moved for the Egypt international, revealing in the Daily Express, "He is a player I would like to bring to this club. All I would like is the opportunity to speak to the lad. If it does not work out then we will move on."
Keane has struggled to acquire his targets in the summer, that included forward David Nugent, who joined Portsmouth from Preston, Wigan defender Leighton Baines and Hearts keeper Craig Gordon.
06 08 2007
England U21 defender Leighton Baines is set for a medical at Everton.
The Merseysiders have beat off interest from Newcastle and after weekend talks agreed a fee with Wigan, thought to be in the region of £6 million.
Everton had an opening offer of £4 million plus a player turned down by Latics manager Chris Hutchings.
The 22 year old left back will undergo a medical Monday before discussing personal terms with the Toffees, the club he supports since childhood.
Baines watched Everton's 2-2 friendly draw with Werder Bremen last week.
He sat alongside Everton forward James Vaughan in the directors' box Tuesday, fuelling speculation that a move was imminent.
Baines discarded a £6 million transfer to Sunderland, with manager Roy Keane saying that he has his heart set on a transfer to Everton.
He said, "Football is a small world and you hear things through the grapevine. I only got the impression that Leighton had his heart set on a transfer to Everton. I do not blame him for that. When I left Man Utd, it did not matter which team came in for me I was always going to go to Celtic. I met Leighton and he's a nice lad who I could have loved to have come here. However, it did not happen and we move on."
04 08 2007
Everton have made £11 million bid for Porto's Argentina midfield man Luis Gonzalez.
Boss David Moyes is attempting to push through a deal for the 26 year old as Everton face competition from Juve and Lyon for Gonzalez's signature.
BBC Sport understands Everton are now awaiting a response to the bid, which would beat the club record £8.6 million paid to Crystal Palace for Andrew Johnson.
Everton are also poised to pay £5 million for Wigan's Leighton Baines after Newcastle admitted that defeat in the transfer battle.
Gonzalez, known as "Lucho", is a key figure in Porto's line-up, and figured in Argentina's team at the recent Copa America.
Whether Everton pull off the coup remains to be seen, as Moyes bids to end a summer of frustration in the transfer market.
Everton sign Phil Jagielka from Sheffield United for £4 million and signed South African midfield man Steven Pienaar on a season long loan from Borussia Dortmund.
But 22 year old Baines is looking set to sign before the start of the season, with Moyes also hoping to close a deal for Gonzalez.
