Manchester City are preparing for a significant summer rebuild following the arrival of Enzo Maresca.
The club entered a new era after Pep Guardiola ended his trophy-filled spell at the Etihad Stadium. Several areas of the squad could undergo changes before the new season begins and defence will be one of them.
John Stones has already left the club, while questions remain over the futures of Nathan Ake and Ruben Dias.
As a result, Manchester City are exploring defensive targets who could strengthen the backline.
According to Football Insider, Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite has emerged as a player City are closely monitoring.
The 23-year-old is one of the most highly-rated young centre-backs in English football. City believe he could help refresh their defence ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.
Branthwaite’s situation has also attracted attention from elsewhere. Manchester United and Bayern Munich reportedly remain interested in the Everton defender.
However, any move from Manchester City could depend on outgoing transfers first. The club may need to create space in the squad before pursuing new defensive additions.
Everton are also expected to make negotiations difficult. The report states that the Merseyside club have placed a minimum £70M valuation on Branthwaite.
The defender endured a difficult campaign last season. Several hamstring injuries limited his involvement throughout the year.
As a result, he made only 10 Premier League appearances during the 2025/26 season. Despite those setbacks, interest in the England international remains strong.
🚨 Manchester City are monitoring Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite as they plan for a potential defensive overhaul this summer.
The Premier League champions view the England international as a possible replacement for John Stones, while Manchester United and Bayern Munich are… pic.twitter.com/MrlGe3q3IC
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) June 15, 2026
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