Everton want to sign Manchester City defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis

Everton are interested in signing Manchester City youngster Taylor Harwood-Bellis this summer but face competition from several clubs, according to TEAMtalk.

The England Under-21 captain is currently at the European Championships in Romania and is playing in a side that has reached the semi-finals without conceding a goal, having shone for Burnley last season on loan as they earned promotion to the Premier League.

Vincent Kompany wants to sign him permanently and keep him at Turf Moor but according to a report (3 July), Everton are one of a few clubs ready to challenge them for his signature.

“Burnley are battling to try and keep Manchester City’s Taylor Harwood-Bellis at the club next season, but they face competition from a number of Premier League rivals, TEAMtalk understands,” they wrote.

“City are yet to decide whether they want to sell or even loan Harwood-Bellis, but if they do there will be no shortage of offers.

“As well as Burnley, there is interest from Premier League rivals Brighton, Wolves, Everton and Fulham.”

Everton have been well stocked in central defence in recent times, but Sean Dyche is clearly looking to rebuild the squad and that is an area that could be strengthened.

Conor Coady was allowed to leave at the end of his loan spell, while Yerry Mina was released at the end of his contract. Ben Godfrey and Mason Holgate have also been told they’re free to leave if offers come in, while the future of Michael Keane and Jarrad Branthwaite are also up in the air.

That leaves James Tarkowski as the only guaranteed option for the 2023/24 season, and means that if the chance to bolster comes in then Dyche will be looking to take it.

It’s not clear how expensive a deal for Harwood-Bellis will be and the likelihood is that Burnley will be his favoured destination because of his time there last season, but Everton will feel they’re bigger and can offer a better platform.