LEIGHTON BAINES is unconcerned by Manchester City’s “fantasy football” spending spree that threatens Everton’s place in the Premier League top five.

City are continuing their efforts to take Joleon Lescott from Goodison despite having an opening offer of £15million dismissed.

Having added Emmanuel Adebayor to a summer shopping list that already includes Gareth Barry, Roque Santa Cruz and Carlos Tevez, City manager Mark Hughes is determined to bolster his defence with the acquisition of Lescott.

Hughes is considering adding England under-21 international Nedum Onuoha to an improved offer, although reports over the weekend suggest Everton chairman Bill Kenwright will not even consider any offer less than £30m.

Baines, though, believes Everton’s strong team spirit, which has helped them to two successive fifth-placed finishes, can again hold off the moneybags Eastlands outfit.

And the left-back reckons the pressure will be on City to reap instant rewards for their huge transfer outlay.

“We’re not worried about what is going on at City,” said the left-back. “It’s actually quite interesting to see how they get on with it. With so many big-name players coming in, you have to think there is a lot of pressure on them to deliver this season. They haven’t really got time.

“It’s interesting and exciting as a football fan to see these things happening. It’s almost like fantasy football. They are paying a lot of money for players, but we can only do our own job here at Everton.

“We’ve done that over the past few years, and we will carry on doing that and fancy our chances of it being good enough.”

Baines added: “We’re not that far away from the top four now, and in a way City are looking to fast forward into that top four and do it quicker than we can. The funds they have got have not been available at Everton over the last few years.

“We’ve done things a lot steadier going forward, and the manager has done very well in getting the best out of his players, and the players deserve credit for their performances.

“City are looking to speed the process up, and best of luck to them, but at Everton we are proud of what we have done over the last few years. We are a close-knit bunch and that sometimes can give you the extra percent to get nearer the top, as opposed to just bringing in big-money players.”

Lescott shrugged off the speculation over his future to deliver a composed performance as Everton continued their pre-season with a comfortable 4-1 friendly win at Coca-Cola League Two outfit Rochdale.