Revealed: Manchester City centre-back subjected to three loan offers during January transfer window | OneFootball

Manchester City were called into action in rejecting three loan proposals made for one of their most highly-rated defensive talents.

That concerned the future of teenage centre-back prospect Jahmai Simpson-Pusey, who has been an important member of Pep Guardiola’s first-team squad this season as he continues to battle with injury and fitness issues throughout the squad.

During a period in which Guardiola did not have any of his four central defenders fit at one time, the Catalan tactician called upon Simpson-Pusey to make his first UEFA Champions League start for the club in the 4-1 defeat to Sporting CP in the Portuguese capital.

In total so far this season, the Manchester City academy graduate has made a total of 19 appearances across competitions, including two Champions League outings, two Premier League showings, and an appearance in each of the FA Cup and League Cup.

But while game-time and dependancy is coming thick and fast for the player, it has now emerged that clubs across European football made attempts to lure his services away from the Etihad Stadium on a temporary basis.

According to the information of transfer market insider Fabrizio Romano, Spanish clubs Real Zaragoza and Rayo Vallecano, as well as Sheffield Wednesday, all made an approach to Manchester City during the January window to sign Jahmai Simpson-Pusey on loan.

However, it is pointed out that there was no green light from the Premier League champions as Manchester City wanted to keep the teenager for the remainder of the season, and the 19-year-old has already proven to be important at various moments this season.

Another big moment in the career of Simpson-Pusey was considered by Pep Guardiola in December, after the City manager revealed that while he wants to hand responsibility to his senior stars, the young central defender could have started in the Manchester derby.

“In that (tough) period we have, I want responsibility for senior players. The last game for example against (Manchester) United, I thought to put Jahmai (Simpson-Pusey) – he could play like he played really good,” Guardiola said.

The Manchester City academy graduate has recently returned from a minor injury problem and has resumed training alongside his first-team teammates, putting himself up for consideration in this weekend’s FA Cup fourth round tie against Leyton Orient.