EVERTON boss Frank Lampard is making Manchester City’s England Under-21 skipper Taylor Harwood-Bellis a transfer priority.
Lampard wants a new centre-half and his spies are now camped out at Burnley to compile a file on the classy young defender.
Harwood-Bellis has looked a cut above the Championship and his passing range fits with top-flight football.
The local lad and City fan has never shown a sign of wanting to leave Pep Guardiola’s squad but that may change.
City have just signed Borussia Dortmund defender Manuel Akanji to go ahead of him in the queue for a game at the Etihad.
Everton could try to intercept the season-long loan with a buy in January but it is much more likely to be a swoop lined up for next summer.
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City may be open to a sale with a buy back clause, a new way of dealing they seem keen on, and that could work for all parties.
Burnley boss Vincent Kompany would love to take on Harwood-Bellis if his club are promoted although the fee would be a challenge.
The centre-back joined City’s academy in 2008 at the tender age of six.
The defender rose through the ranks in 2019, which is when he started undergoing a series of loan stints.
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The 20-year-old cut his teeth at Blackburn, Anderlecht and Stoke before joining Burnley in July.
Harwood-Bellis has made eight senior appearances for City and scored one goal in the FA Cup against Port Vale two years ago.
