Manchester City ‘monitoring’ £60 million Everton and England star amid Manchester United and Real Madrid competition

Manchester City have joined the race to sign Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite but face major competition to land the signature of the England international.

Pep Guardiola and Manchester City are expected to further bolster their first-team squad this summer, with plans for additions in numerous areas, including potentially the goalkeeping and midfield department.

The treble-winners could also be set to further add to their defence, despite completing a £77.6 million move for Croatian defender Josko Gvardiol last summer, with the 22-year-old signing an initial five-year deal at the Etihad Stadium.

City have been linked with targeting players from a number of fellow Premier League clubs, with the potential for the Sky Blues and Wolves to complete major business for a second successive summer transfer window, amid interest in Portugal midfielder Pedro Neto.

Everton have also emerged as a possible club Manchester City could do business with this summer, with the Cityzens amongst a list of teams interested in signing Toffees defender Jarrad Branthwaite.

The 21-year-old is reportedly a target for Manchester United, Real Madrid and Tottenham after an impressive campaign at Goodison Park, with the defender subject to critical acclaim on Merseyside despite Everton facing the threat of relegation.

Branthwaite was part of Gareth Southgate’s England squad for recent friendlies against Brazil and Belgium, and has featured in 25 Premier League games so far this season.

Manchester City are ‘monitoring developments’ surrounding the centre-back according to the Daily Mail, with the club ‘intent to keep competition high’ within the squad.

Branthwaite’s age and profile as well as being homegrown has attracted interest from Etihad chiefs, who reportedly believe that the defender shows similar traits to John Stones.

The Evertonian is contracted on Merseyside until 2027, and the rumoured £60 million price tag could impact potential suitors such as Manchester United, who face a number of financial issues ahead of the summer window.

Branthwaite spent last season on loan at PSV in the Eredivisie and has previously enjoyed spells at Blackburn Rovers, prior to becoming a regular for Sean Dyche.

City have an array of current central defensive options, with Stones, Gvardiol, Ruben Dias, Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake all competing to start.