Manchester City could be lining up a summer bid for Everton left-back Leighton Baines, FootballDirectNews.com understands.
The Premier League champions are under pressure to bring in English players this summer due to their recent penalty from Uefa for breaching Financial Fair Play rules, and need to increase the number of ‘homegrown’ players in their squad. With the likes of Micah Richards, Gareth Barry and Joleon Lescott among City’s English contingent that are likely to leave the club this summer, Manuel Pellegrini has set his sights on bringing in Baines from Everton.
The 29-year-old has been one of the finest left-backs in the Premier League for the last few seasons, and was a big target for Manchester United for much of last summer, though he eventually stayed at Goodison Park. With some doubt over the future of Gael Clichy and Aleksandar Kolarov as well at City, it could be that one of them will make way for the England international, who will likely be first choice for his country at this summer’s World Cup.
The Toffees will no doubt be keen to keep hold of one of their best players, and they were highly resistant to offers from United in last summer’s transfer window.