Jarrad Branthwaite: Transfer Guru shares verdict on poss Man City move

Man City are unlikely to pursue a move to sign Everton star Jarrad Branthwaite this season and will prioritise other targets.

This is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that City would prefer a more experienced and proven option.

Branthwaite, 22, burst onto the Premier League scene last season, making 41 appearances as he established himself as a key member of Sean Dyche’s team.

However, injuries have scuppered his development and playing time so far this term, having missed eight of their 16 Premier League games so far.

This is said to be a concern for City, who are keen to see him continue his development and overcome his injury concerns before the end of the season.

Instead, Brown told Football Insider on Wednesday (18 December) that City are plotting a move to sign Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi.

The Palace captain and England regular is said to “tick a lot of boxes” for Pep Guardiola’s side and is one of their top targets to solve their centre-back concerns.

Man City unlikely to sign Everton star Jarrad Branthwaite

Brown told Football Insider in October that top clubs have been tracking the centre-back closely but will want to see him continuing to improve before making a move.

Now, the former scout who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, insisted that City will keep an eye on Branthwaite, but aren’t expected to make a move.

“I wouldn’t expect them to make a move for him, no,” he told Football Insider.

“I think they’ll look for a slightly more experienced and proven option at the back, not in terms of age but the level he’s played at and how long he’s done it for.

“Branthwaite is a very good defender, no doubt, a lot of clubs have been watching him.

“Last season he was playing regularly, getting better and more confident by the game, but then he got injured, now he’s got to come back and prove himself again.

“There have always been one or two question marks about him, and he’s answered some of those, but there are more issues that have to be resolved.

“City will want to see him getting back to where he was at the end of last season.

“If I was the chief scout at City, I’d say keep an eye on him, but he’s not one to sign just yet.

“He’s still a talent, but there are more questions he has to answer, and I’d expect City will look at other options before they move for him.”

In other news, Newcastle make decision on Bruno Guimaraes exit in January.

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