Bayern set to swoop for Everton´s Baines

Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich look set to swoop for Everton’s England left-back Leighton Baines to help solve their defensive problems, it was revealed on Thursday.

According to German magazine Kicker, the 26-year-old, who has won two caps for the Three Lions, is a Bayern target and the German giants want to try and bring him to Bavaria in January’s winter break.

Having made his England debut this year, Baines was left out of Fabio Capello’s World Cup side, but he would be a good option to solve Bayern’s problems down the left flank with Germany star Philipp Lahm at right-back.

The deal could be worth 10 million euros to the Liverpool-based club where Baines is under contract until 2015.

Having won the league and cup double here last season, Bayern are struggling for form in the German league and are currently sixth in the table, 17-points behind leaders Dortmund.

Bayern are looking at their options during the winter break, which starts Sunday, and captain Mark van Bommel, whose contract expires at the end of the season, could switch to Wolfsburg in January, according to reports.

The 2007 German champions are said to be offering a contract in Wolfsburg until June 2013 and the Dutch midfielder has said he wants to play top-flight football until Euro 2012, to be held in the Ukraine and Poland.

Bayern are also reported to be interested in signing Hoffenheim’s Brazilian defensive midfielder Luiz Gustavo, who is under contract until 2014, and is reported to be worth around 15 million euros.

Dortmund defender Mats Hummels, 21, who is in the Germany squad and tipped as a star of the future, is also said to be a Bayern target.