• Premier League

Heitinga drops Everton exit hint

ESPN staff
May 28, 2013
John Heitinga's contract expires next year © PA Photos
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John Heitinga has indicated to media in the Netherlands that he could leave Everton this summer.

The Dutch defender's contract at Goodison Park expires in 2014, and he has revealed that no new deal is currently on offer.

Heitinga, signed on a five-year contract from Atletico Madrid for £6.2 million in 2009, believes Everton could decide to sell him now rather than risk losing him for nothing next summer.

The 29-year-old has had a poor season, but has refused to shy away from criticism, even taking to Twitter to apologise to fans for some of his performances.

Discussing his Everton future, Heitinga told Dutch football magazine Voetbal International: "If they want to earn something for me, this is the moment. I have made no arrangement with the club about that. I will just wait and see what happens."

Heitinga was close to leaving Everton for Turkish club Fenerbahce - where former Everton defender Joseph Yobo currently plays - last July, but the deal fell through because the two clubs could not agree a fee.

"Everton asked too much and the deal collapsed," Heitinga said.

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