Manchester City have joined Manchester United in expressing interest in signing Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite.
The 21-year-old has piqued the interest of top clubs after breaking into the Everton side this season, forming an excellent partnership with James Tarkowski at Goodison Park.
Branthwaite’s performances since returning from an impressive loan spell at PSV Eindhoven last season have earned the defender a maiden England call-up for March’s fixtures and he will hope to debut when the Three Lions take on Belgium on Tuesday.
Manchester United are understood to have placed Branthwaite high on their wish-list for the summer window, with the Red Devils expected to sign two new central defenders.
The club are expected to invest after the arrival of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS as minority owners at Old Trafford and are also pursuing a deal for Juventus centre-back Gleison Bremer.
However, the Daily Mail have revealed that Premier League champions Manchester City also admire Branthwaite, whose homegrown status, promise and naturalness in a left-sided role all appeal to Pep Guardiola.
Tottenham are also interested in a potential deal despite the arrival of Radu Dragusin from Genoa in the January transfer window, while Real Madrid have monitored his progress this season.
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti was in charge of Everton when Branthwaite signed for the Toffees from Carlisle in January 2020.
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