Man City monitoring Premier League defender

Manchester City’s spell as European champions will come to an end on Saturday when Real Madrid face Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League final. 

The Citizens beat Italian side Inter Milan in last season’s final to win the trophy for the first time in the club’s history, but they weren’t able to defend their crown after being beaten by Real at the quarter-final stage.

City boss Pep Guardiola will be desperate to see his side improve in next season’s competition, with the Premier League the only trophy that City won last term.

In the meantime, it appears that City could make a surprise move for a Premier League defender this summer.

As per Football Insider, City are keeping tabs on Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite.

Branthwaite has attracted interest from a number of other clubs

The 21-year-old defender has just enjoyed an impressive season with the Toffees and was included in England manager Gareth Southgate’s 33-mna preliminary squad for this summer’s European Championships in Germany.

It is claimed that City are showing interest in the Englishman, with current centre-back John Stones said to be ‘unhappy’ with his recent decrease in playing time for Guardiola’s side.

The pair could both play for the Three Lions at The Euros, but the report also suggests that City could move for Branthwaite if Stones does depart The Etihad.

Branthwaite joined Everton from Football League side Carlisle United in 2020 and has since enjoyed successful loan spells at Blackburn Rovers and Dutch side PSV Eindhoven.

The central defender is currently contracted to Goodison Park until the end of the 2026/27 campaign, and Everton are said to be desperate to keep hold of the player regardless of their financial situation.

The Toffees were handed points deductions last season for breaching the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules, and the club could be forced to sell players this summer in order to avoid further breaches.