Manchester City offer Rodwell back to Everton return in exchange for Barkley

Jack Rodwell (L) shoots during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, northwest England, on February 24, 2013.

Manchester City are weighing up a summer bid for Ross Barkley from Everton according to the Daily Mirror and are considering sending former Toffee Jack Rodwell back the other way as bait.

Barkley has enjoyed a stunning season at Goodison Park after being given his first-team opportunity Roberto Martinez, with his performances for Everton earning him a place in Roy Hodgson’s England squad for the World Cup in Brazil.

His talents have not gone unnoticed by the top teams in the league with Liverpool reportedly keen on trying their hand for Barkley from their local rivals, but Manchester City have now thrown their hat into the ring and are considering making a move to bolster their squad ahead of next season.

City are aware that they need to bring in more ‘home grown’ players after losing a number of their English contingent this summer, with Joleon Lescott having joined Hull City and Gareth Barry released on a free transfer, while Micah Richards is expected to leave, with Newcastle keen on using him to replace Arsenal-bound Mathieu Debuchy.

They want Barkley to join their ranks ahead of next season and are prepared to offer another graduate of the Everton academy as bait, with Rodwell having failed to make an impact at City in the two years he has spent at the Etihad.

City are reportedly ready to test the waters with the Everton hierarchy with a bid in the region of £25m with Rodwell making up part of that fee, though they also have other options in offloading the injury-prone youngster, with both Newcastle and Sunderland also keen on recruiting Rodwell.