Jarrad Branthwaite has struggled with injuries this season and has only started once for Everton – being named on the bench for the last two games by Sean Dyche – and the club are now willing to accept an offer in January
The race for Jarrad Branthwaite is very much on after Everton boss Sean Dyche admitted the Toffees could not resist a big offer for the centre-back in January.
The 22-year-old has been chased by a number of top clubs and Manchester United were in talks to sign the player in the summer – though failed to meet Everton’s £75million valuation.
Everton could be swayed with a lower offer in January, however, with the club needing funds to strengthen their squad amid their ongoing battle against relegation.
Dyche said: “The current decision would be that it is likely that if somebody bid enough money for any player – by the way forget about Jarrad it is not relevant [just to mention] Jarrad – any player at this football club as you have seen over the last couple of windows. If someone offers enough money then they go.”
Branthwaite has struggled with injuries this season and has only started once – being named on the bench for the last two games by Dyche – which could escalate the need to get as much cash for him as possible. With that in mind, Mirror Football has taken a look at four possible destinations for the defender.
Manchester United
The obvious destination for Branthwaite. The Red Devils looked like the frontrunners to sign the defender after entering talks with Everton but seeing two offers rebuffed.
United are already stocked with defenders but after a long-term injury to new signing Leny Yoro and Harry Maguire likely to leave next summer, incoming boss Ruben Amorim will want more quality depth at the back.
Even though United have just signed Matthijs de Ligt and also have Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof, the club have looked suspect in defence this season and Branthwaite would add much-needed depth.
United were reportedly alerted to the possibility of Branthwaite being up for sale this week and Dyche’s words will have done nothing to deter them.
Liverpool
Surely Branthwaite wouldn’t join Everton’s biggest rivals? Doing so would make him public enemy No 1 but this summer there was a point where it looked like it could happen.
In August, odds among one bookmaker were slashed for Branthwaite to join Liverpool after United’s bids for the player were turned down.
New Reds boss Arne Slot has assembled the best defence in the Premier League so far, with his side letting in only six goals – with Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate looking imperious at the back.
But there was a point where Slot was believed to want to upgrade on his back-up options, including Joe Gomez and Jarrell Quansah – and with Branthwaite seen as one of the best young defenders in England, he would certainly fit the bill.
But any move across Merseyside would surely be unthinkable for the player and Everton. Mirror Football reported this summer that the Toffees had no intention of selling the player to Liverpool and were mystified linking him with their rivals.
Manchester City
The option of signing Branthwaite was not explored by Manchester City this summer, according to MEN, but that could quickly change in January given the club’s defensive predicament.
Pep Guardiola’s side have already seen injuries to both Ruben Dias and John Stones, with Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake left as the club’s main senior defenders left over.
Guardiola was forced to field teenage centre-back Jahmai Simpson-Pusey in their 4-1 loss to Sporting Lisbon and having Branthwaite in their ranks would give them much stronger depth – especially given their current injury predicament.
Newcastle
Eddie Howe’s side didn’t make a move for Branthwaite in the summer, which was a surprise given the Magpies were looking for a new centre-back – as they instead put their focus into signing Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi.
But with Palace continuing to play hardball over Guehi, Howe could see Branthwaite as solid potential option for Newcastle, who have had a difficult season so far and currently lie in 11th place in the table.
Branthwaite would be competing with the likes of Fabian Schar and Dan Burn if he joined Howe’s team but Newcastle are currently short on defenders with Sven Botman and Jamal Lascelles both out until the new year – which could force Howe to take a punt on the youngster.
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