Report: Manchester City interested in USA International John Brooks

Manchester City are scouting Hertha Berlin central defender John Brooks per published media reports. The US International was scouted by City at the United States 1-0 victory in the Copa America over Paraguay. The 23 year-old has played every minute of the tournament thus far for the United States.

Brooks has been one of the players of the tournament, following an outstanding season for Hertha in Bundesliga. The positioning sense and tactical discipline Brooks demonstrated from October onward in league play and this summer at the Copa America where the United States has advanced to the semifinal speak volumes as to his development and maturity as a footballer.

In the match against Paraguay which was reportedly witnessed by a scout from Manchester City, Books was able to successfully sniff out a 3 on 1 breakaway for the opposition. The below video shows Brooks positioning sense and smart lateral movement on this play toward the end of the clip.

Upgrading the backline for the Blues is a priority of Pep Guardiola. The consistent injuries to club captain Vincent Kompany coupled with the age of the fullbacks has given the new Manchester City boss plenty to ponder as his first campaign draws closer. Brooks certainly would be an interesting addition to the Blues squad and would be the first US International to play for Manchester City since DaMarcus Beasley left the club at the end of the 2006-07 season.