Rumour: Manchester City could move for Everton defender Leighton Baines

Leighton Baines of Everton celebrates victory after the Barclays Premier League match between Everton and Norwich City at Goodison Park

According to reports, Manchester City are stepping up their interest in Everton left-back Leighton Baines.

City look set to offload a fair proportion of their English personnel in the summer (Joleon Lescott, Michah Richards and Gareth Barry), which could impact their ability to adhere to the Premier League’s homegrown rules.

Signing Leighton Baines would help in this regard while improving an already formidable first-choice defence.

Gael Clichy and Aleksandar Kolarov shared the left-back duties last season, but Baines’ arrival at the club would surely demote this pair to back-up responsibilities.

The 29-year-old signed a new four-year contract in January, keeping him at Goodison Park until 2018.

Departed Manchester United manager David Moyes worked hard to bring the Baines to Old Trafford in the summer but had two bids rebuffed by Everton.

The Toffees are clearly intent on retaining the prize asset, meaning that any bid from City would have to be sizeable to pique the interest of Everton Chairman Bill Kenwright.

In addition, City’s infraction of UEFA’s FPP rules impacts their ability to spend big in the summer. As such, Baines might be deemed an unnecessary luxury when they already have two quality left-backs on the books.