Everton are trying to get ‘fantastic’ player to sign a new contract, but Man City now want him

Add as preferred source on Google

Manchester City are interested in signing Jarrad Branthwaite.

That’s according to the Mail Online, who have reported that the Premier League champions could challenge rivals Manchester United for the Everton defender.

Branthwaite arrived on Merseyside from Carlisle United in 2018 but was unable to force his way into the senior team before this season.

A hugely successful loan spell with PSV last season that saw him lift the KNVB Cup led Everton to bringing him into the team, despite heavy interest from the Dutch club who were eager to snap him up permanently.

United also considered bidding for Branthwaite in the summer but he instead ended up staying at Goodison Park and has since started their last five matches in the Premier League.

The ‘fantastic’ centre-back took the place of Michael Keane in the starting line-up and has easily been one of Everton’s best players since, encouraging the club to offer him a new contract.

The Toffees are said to be in talks with Branthwaite over a new deal, with his current deal not expiring until 2025. However, the report claims that fresh terms for the 21-year-old is unlikely to deter Man City.

Pep Guardiola’s side parted ways with Aymeric Laporte in the summer but went onto bring in Josko Gvardiol. However, the Croatian has been heavily used at left-back and the current injury to John Stones has limited City’s options.

Branthwaite to City?

While they still have some of the best centre-backs in the world, the report states that they could now look to add Branthwaite to their roster following his impressive start to the campaign.

Everton will have to buck up their ideas if they want to stay in the top flight and keep hold of the defender, however Branthwaite may also be smart enough not to move to the Etihad Stadium.

The England youth international is clearly a huge talent but is very far from the finished article and is extremely unlikely to get into Man City’s starting line-up.

With the amount of quality City have in their ranks, Branthwaite could very easily ruin his career there. Whether he stays at Goodison Park is another question, but moving to the treble winners would be a bad idea.