Championship trio eye move for Manchester City defender this month

Manchester City centre-back Finley Burns is at the centre of transfer attention from the Championship, with three clubs in for his signature this month, as per a new report.

The 19 year-old defender has played all of his football so far this season across competitions for Manchester City’s academy squads, registering 19 appearances in the Premier League 2, UEFA Youth League, and EFL Trophy.

Burns made his senior Manchester City debut under Pep Guardiola last season, alongside a number of his academy teammates, in a 6-1 win over Wycombe Wanderers at the Etihad Stadium in the Carabao Cup.

That milestone in his professional career was then followed by a January transfer window loan move to Swansea City for the second-half of the campaign, where he made three appearances under manager Russell Martin.

Now, it looks as though Manchester City are keen on the idea of Burns returning to the second tier of English football to continue his development, in a similar move to the one agreed by the Premier League champions during the last January window.

That is according to the information of Pete O’Rourke for Football Insider, who report this week that Championship trio Watford, Bristol City and Coventry City are all keen on signing Manchester City’s Finley Burns this month.

City officials do have an existing relationship with the latter, following two completed loan deals to Coventry during the last summer transfer window, and most recently, this week.

Josh Wilson-Esbrand put pen to paper on a loan until the end of the ongoing season with Coventry City – a further sign that those within Manchester City trust the Championship club with the development of one of their most promising academy talents.

The young left-back will join academy defence teammate Callum Doyle, who joined Coventry last summer on a season-long loan move following a successful stint with fellow Championship side Sunderland during the season prior.