Manchester City have been keeping tabs on Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite this season, according to Sky Sports News.
The TV station claim that the Premier League champions are “among” four teams who are keeping track of developments, with the centre-back said to be “considering his future.”
Branthwaite was left out of Thomas Tuchel’s first England squad and he is now weighing up whether he should leave Everton to ensure he gets international recognition.
In addition to City, Sky report that Liverpool, Tottenham and Real Madrid are watching his situation closely.
Branthwaite won’t be allowed to leave Everton on the cheap
The Toffees rejected several bids from Manchester United last summer with the Merseysiders believed to be holding out for a fee in the region of £75m.
It is up for debate whether any club would pay that much for Branthwaite. He would become the third-most-expensive defender in football history behind Harry Maguire and Josko Gvardiol if a team agreed to meet his current valuation.
With his contract set to expire in 2027 (and an option for another twelve months), his price tag is unlikely to be lowered anytime soon either.
City are not exactly short of numbers at centre-back
It should be pointed out that the Cityzens signed two centre-halves during the January transfer window. Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis arrived from Lens and Palmeiras respectively.
At the moment, manager Pep Guardiola currently has seven options for the middle of the defence, including Ruben Dias, Manuel Akanji, John Stones, Nathan Ake and Gvardiol.
There are, however, rumours that Dias, Stones and Akanji could all depart the Etihad at the end of the season and their exits would help make room for someone like Branthwaite.
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