Man City identify possible replacement for defender John Stones in transfer twist

According to a new report, Premier League champions Manchester City have identified a potential replacement for John Stones from within the English top-flight.

The most recent rumors regarding the England international follow a personal season in which the center-back is said to have labored somewhat after the Treble victory under Pep Guardiola in the previous campaign.

This season, Stones has been utilized sparingly by Manchester City. This is in stark contrast to the previous campaign, during which the 30-year-old was widely regarded as one of the world’s preeminent all-around defenders.

John Stones, who played a combination of full-back, central defense, and defensive midfield, was lauded for his in-game intellect throughout the course of the match, and his contribution to Manchester City’s historic Champions League victory cannot be understated.

Nevertheless, the Englishman’s future has been called into question in light of Manchester City’s capacity to win the Premier League without a significant contribution from Stones during the most recent campaign.

As reported by Football Insider, Manchester City is “vigilantly monitoring” Jarrad Branthwaite’s situation at Everton in preparation for a potential transfer for the Englishman in the coming weeks and months.

According to reports, the Premier League leaders might make an unexpected move to acquire the 21-year-old if one of their current center-backs departs. John Stones is reportedly “unhappy” with his current situation at Etihad Stadium.

Certain sources of information have speculated as to how much Everton could pay for their in-demand central defender, with one source estimating that his transfer fee could approach a staggering £90 million.

It is reported that the Merseyside club has considered the transfer fees paid for players such as Josko Gvardiol, Harry Maguire, and Wesley Fofana in recent seasons, and has concluded that Branthwaite’s value is enhanced by his age, preferred left-foot position, and nationality.

It is currently unknown whether Manchester City will attempt to convert their observation into a tangible interest; nevertheless, it is believed that sporting director Txiki Begiristain is an enormous admirer of the player’s abilities.