Close”: Manager admits £15m Man City target is now set to sign new contract, amid reports Guardiola is keen
Manchester City target Jarrad Branthwaite is now close to signing a new contract at Everton – according to Sean Dyche.
The 52-year-old revealed the news in his press conference earlier on Thursday.
So, what did Sean Dyche say about Manchester City target Jarrad Branthwaite? Let’s take a look…
What’s the story?
Well, it was the Daily Mail who claimed that Pep Guardiola is keen to sign the Everton No.32 as he enters the final 24 months of his current deal – Manchester United are also interested.
PSV Eindhoven are huge fans of Branthwaite too – and even made a £15m bid back in January.
Now – however – Everton are close to agreeing a new contract with the central defender.
As quoted by the Liverpool Echo, Dyche said: “He is going along nicely. He is playing with some good players around him. Things are close (with the new contract) now.”
That doesn’t mean Manchester City have no chance of signing the England Under-21 international anymore.
It simply means that the Citizens will most likely have to spend a lot more to sign Branthwaite than they would have done in the current circumstances regarding his existing contract.
Who is Manchester City target Jarrad Branthwaite?
Well, we can see why Guardiola admires Branthwaite.
The Carlisle-born defender is one of those rare central defensive profiles who can also step into central midfield, like John Stones has done recently at the Etihad Stadium.
Declan Rice also started his career as a central defender before developing into a £105m midfielder – funnily enough, Branthwaite has been compared to the England international by his old boss, Chris Beech.
It will be interesting to see if a release clause is included in Branthwaite’s new contract at Everton – if one is inserted, don’t be surprised to see Manchester City trigger it in 2024, should he maintain his current level of performance.
