Manchester City left-back Josh Wilson-Esbrand is reportedly on the verge of joining Coventry City on loan until the end of the season.
The 20-year-old has spent the last three years with the Citizens' academy since joining from West Ham United in 2019, and he is regarded as one of the club's brightest talents for the future.
Wilson-Esbrand featured regularly for City's Under-18s before quickly stepping up to the Under-23s, where he made 20 appearances last season and won the Premier League 2 title.
The young left-back was then called up to Pep Guardiola's senior team for City's pre-season tour of the USA over the summer and he produced aa standout display for 76 minutes in a 1-0 friendly win over Bayern Munich.
There were suggestions that Wilson-Esbrand could retain his place in the first-team fold at the beginning of the campaign, but the England Under-20 international has fallen down the pecking order since the summer arrival of Sergio Gomez, while Joao Cancelo and Nathan Ake have featured regularly on the left side of defence.
Wilson-Esbrand has made only two substitute appearances under Guardiola so far this season, both in the Champions League, and he is now in line for a temporary move away from the Etihad Stadium to continue his development.
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Wilson-Esbrand allegedly attracted Premier League interest earlier this season, but journalist Fabrizio Romano claims that the youngster is set to leave Man City and join Championship club Coventry on loan until June.
The left-back is set to link up with fellow Man City academy graduate Callum Doyle, who has made 22 appearances at centre-back for Coventry since joining on loan in the summer.
Coventry head coach Mark Robins has been in the market for a new left-back since Chelsea loanee Ian Maatsen – now at Burnley – left the club at the end of last season.
Jake Bidwell has been Robins's first choice at left wing-back so far this term, but the arrival of Wilson-Esbrand will provide much-needed competition in that department.
Coventry currently sit 14th in the Championship table after 25 matches, nine points clear of the relegation zone and just four points behind the playoffs.
The Sky Blues are now preparing for a challenging Championship clash against league leaders Burnley – managed by Man City legend Vincent Kompany – at Turf Moor on Saturday.
Oliver Thomas
