Leicester City are set to beat Celtic to the signing of Carlisle defender Jarrad Branthwaite in January according to Football Insider. Scouts from the Foxes have been closely watching the 17-year-old and the club are set to make a formal approach for the centre-back when the transfer window opens.
Brendan Rodgers is said to view the youngster as a star in the making and believes he has shown enough since breaking into the League Two club’s starting-XI earlier this season. He went on to become the club’s youngest ever goalscorer when he netted versus Morecambe in the EFL Trophy in November.
Will Leicester need further reinforcements to cope with European football next season?
Yes
No
At 6ft 4in, Branthwaite’s imposing figure has helped him cope with the physical demands of the division and his stature on the field looks like one of a player well beyond his years.
His current contract has until the summer of 2021 to run but it’s thought that Leicester City would face very little difficulty from a financial standpoint should they wish to do the deal next month.
TIF Tactics – Planning for the future
Caglar Soyuncu and Jonny Evans have formed a formidable partnership at the heart of the Leicester City defence but with European participation extremely likely next season, Rodgers will be looking to ensure his squad are equipped to cope with the extra fixtures.
The 46-year-old clearly views the Foxes job as a long-term project having just signed a new deal keeping him at the club until 2025 therefore future planning is key.
Branthwaite looks a real good prospect and of the clubs allegedly interested, Leicester City would, perhaps, be the most attractive proposition. The lure of the Premier League often outweighs that of the SPL meaning Rodgers’ former club are likely to miss out on the defenders signature.