Baines in talks with Sunderland

The Wigan Evening Post reports that Latics defender Leighton Baines has been given permission to talk to Sunderland over the weekend

He is travelling up to the Stadium of Light to meet with officials of the Wearside club although it is understood that no fee has been agreed

This seems like a sideways move if indeed it comes off at all, Baines still has two years of his contract remaining at the JJB and there would be no need to sell at the moment from Latics point of view

Speculation earlier in the season linked Bainesy with Newcastle and it was also rumoured that Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur were interested in Latics young left back

Everton are understood to be Bainesy`s choice if a move were to come about, but as yet David Moyes and the Goodison Park club have not signalled any interest.

To replace Baines, if he did leave, would cost Latics a small fortune so surely they must be looking at asking a fee close to £10 million for the England under 21 international

Baines is the only left back currently at the club and in the two recent friendlies played in Holland Kevin Kilbane had to fill in due to Bainesy suffering a virus

This is a bad situation with the season only three weeks away and at least one new left back must be a priority for Chris Hutchings even if Baines remains at the club

Talking to isn`t signing for as we experienced with Marlon Harewood so we will have to see what transpires over the weekend

Here`s hoping that come September 1st Leighton Baines has seen sense and remained a Wigan Athletic player, remember Nathan Ellington and West Bromwich Albion, Leighton.

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