Everton assistant boss Alan Irvine has confirmed they're in advanced talks for Wigan Athletic left-back Leighton Baines.

"We are at least part of the way down the road," he said.

"But with the demands made by everyone these days I will only believe it is going to happen when it actually does happen. We have been talking to Leighton and hopefully sorting things out with him."

Irvine was asked whether or not he considered the rumoured transfer fee of £6m to be slightly excessive for a full-back.

The Everton assistant manager refuted that suggestion emphatically.

"When you look at the prices that are going around these days then £6m is not a great deal of money," he said.

"Leighton has got real potential to play for his country. Anyone who saw him in the European Under-21 Championships would have been impressed with him.

"He is a good footballer, a nice passer of the ball, he has loads of energy and he is quick so there are lots of reasons for wanting to sign a player like him."