Manchester City are one of the clubs keeping a close eye on Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite ahead of the summer transfer window. However, any move by City will depend on the sale of a player in their defensive sector. Branthwaite has been one of the Premier League's most sought-after young central defenders, with Manchester City expressing an interest in the England international two years ago, before he renewed his contract at Everton.
At just 23 years old, Branthwaite has continued to evolve and establish himself as one of the league's most reliable defenders under David Moyes. Everton are willing to ask in excess of £70 million for him this summer as Moyes values the player highly and the Toffees are under no pressure to sell one of their most important assets unless a substantial offer is presented.
According to Mail Sport, Manchester City are keeping an eye on Branthwaite, but agreeing a deal will depend on a player leaving and it will take a fee in excess of £70 million to persuade Everton to release the defender. This requirement for a sale is significant as City have already moved to keep Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol this summer despite interest from several European teams in both men, who were Pep Guardiola's preferred pairing in the team's central defense last season.
Any chance of moving forward for Branthwaite would therefore require the departure of one of the team's defenders, as the defensive sector has proven to be a stable area heading into Enzo Maresca's first season as manager. Moyes' high regard for Branthwaite and Everton's strong financial situation make negotiations a considerable challenge for City, who are struggling to secure a deal that reflects the defender's quality and age.
City's defensive squad currently features Dias, Gvardiol, Marc Guehi, Abdukodir Khusanov and Nathan Ake. Dias and Gvardiol are considering their futures at the Etihad, and there is a feeling that Ake could also leave the club this summer as he enters the final year of his contract. The interest in Branthwaite suggests that City continue to monitor the market for elite young centre-backs regardless of current depth, a recruitment focus that is in line with director of football Hugo Viana's strategy of identifying high-potential profiles before they reach their maximum value.
How this situation develops will largely depend on player movement, with Ake being linked with a transfer, and any potential sale could open the door for a new addition in the position. For now, Branthwaite is a player City admire but are not being actively pursued given the financial and squad conditions required for a move, meaning the Everton defender is unlikely to be a priority unless circumstances at the Etihad change in the coming weeks.