Manchester City monitor Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite for £70m

Manchester City are monitoring Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite as a potential replacement for John Stones. The English club would need to meet Everton’s asking price of more than £70 million. Branthwaite, a 23‑year‑old England centre‑back, previously attracted City interest two years ago before committing his future to Everton. Under manager David Moyes he has developed into one of the Premier League’s most reliable young defenders. Everton have set a valuation north of £70 million for Branthwaite this summer. Moyes prizes the defender highly and the Toffees are not under pressure to sell. Any transfer would hinge on an exit from Manchester City’s defensive department at the Etihad Stadium. City have already retained Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol despite interest from across Europe. The club is also preparing for Enzo Maresca’s first season after Pep Guardiola’s departure. City’s current centre‑back roster features Dias, Gvardiol, Marc Guehi, Abdukodir Khusanov and Nathan Ake. Dias and Gvardiol are weighing their futures while Ake approaches the final year of his contract. Director of football Hugo Viana’s recruitment policy focuses on identifying high‑ceiling profiles before they peak in value. Interest in Branthwaite fits that strategy as City continue to monitor elite young centre‑backs. Real Madrid and Barcelona have also been linked with Josko Gvardiol as Manchester City reportedly table lucrative contract offers. A potential sale of Ake could open a slot for a fresh addition in central defence. For now Branthwaite remains a player City admire rather than actively pursue. A move is unlikely unless an outgoing sale reshapes City’s defensive options.