England U21 international Luke Garbutt is set to sign a new five year contract at Everton after reported interest from other Premier League clubs.
Garbutt, 22, had looked set to leave Everton after he had been offered contracts from Swansea City and Bournemouth towards the end of the previous season but is now set to make a dramatic u-turn and stay at Goodison Park.
Everton had reportedly offered Garbutt a contract in January after he made a few first team appearances but nothing had been agreed until now. Garbutt had been asking for more playing time after he replaced Leighton Baines when Baines spent a few weeks on the sidelines.
Garbutt wants playing time
The full back is set to leave on loan to satisfy his need to play first team football, with newly promoted Bournemouth looking like the favourites to take Garbutt on loan. The playing time with help Garbutt in his fight to displace long time Everton left back Baines, who he currently sits behind.
Towards the end of last season it looked like Garbutt was as good as gone as Baines was replaced with young Brendan Galloway instead of Garbutt. Fans seemed to accept that Garbutt was leaving, but this u-turn will delight those looking at Garbutt as Baines' long term replacement.
Garbutt took his opportunities last season
Garbutt was given a handful of opportunities last season and performed well in all of them. He fit in when Baines played in midfield away at Newcastle United and was solid. He impressed in an away defeat to Arsenal, with his set pieces causing trouble on multiple occasions.
With multiple teams sniffing around Garbutt, Everton will be delighted when he signs a new deal. Keeping ahold of a significant talent like Garbutt means Everton will not have to splash out on new players in the summer to back up Baines in the near future. Should Garbutt impress while out on loan, he could trouble Baines in the competition to become the number one choice at left back.