United plot £5m Baines swoop

Sir Alex Ferguson is interested in bringing Everton left-back Leighton Baines to Old Trafford this summer for a knock-down price of £5 million, according to the Daily Mirror.

United may move for the left back, who is widely expected to deputise behind Ashely Cole at this summer's European Championships in Poland and Ukraine, as they look to secure a long-term replacement for Patrice Evra.

The French international and Red Devils captain is nearly 31, and United believe they can take advantage of Everton's difficult financial situation to seal a cut-price deal for Baines. Ferguson has already confirmed that Evra's current cover, Fabio, will move on loan next season to get regular first team football.

The Everton full-back cost the Toffees an initial £5 million when he moved from Wigan to Merseyside in 2007, and once again David Moyes may be forced to sell before he can buy this summer.

That could mean a move for Baines, who has put in a series of impressive performances at Goodison Park this season, with Manchester United reportedly monitoring his progress closely.