This summer, Jarrad Branthwaite of Everton might reportedly be available at a discounted price to Manchester United and Real Madrid.
The 21-year-old has been the Toffees’ bright spot in an otherwise dismal season, and some of Europe’s most prestigious teams are showing interest in him.
Branthwaite, who has one goal from 20 Premier League starts this season, has emerged as James Tarkowski’s first-choice center-back partner after making an impression while on loan at Dutch powerhouse PSV Eindhoven in the 2022–2023 campaign.
Branthwaite’s one goal came last weekend against Tottenham Hotspur, when he headed in a last-minute free kick to salvage a 2-2 draw for the Toffees, for whom he now has two goals in 39 appearances across all competitions.
In the early stages of his career, the’6’4″ defender has already won two significant trophies. He won the KNVB-Beker title with PSV the previous season and participated in one game in England’s Under-21 European Championship victory.
Even though Everton extended Branthwaite’s contract in October until the summer of 2027, the Toffees are very much in danger of experiencing their first-ever Premier League relegation.
Due mostly to their 10-point punishment, Dyche’s team is now one point behind Luton Town in the rankings despite having played one more game. Their next task is a difficult journey to champion Manchester City on Saturday afternoon.
Football Insider reports that the Toffees may have to let Branthwaite go at the end of the season for a reduced amount since they have been accused of breaking Premier League Profit and Sustainability regulations twice since their first punishment.
The possibility of 777 Partners’ purchase and potential relegation to the Championship would both increase the likelihood of bidders landing a player for a fair price, with Manchester United reportedly leading the chase.
As things stand, only Lisandro Martinez’s position at Old Trafford is certain for the 2024–25 campaign. Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire’s statuses are still unresolved, while both Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans have contracts expiring this summer.
However, as Carlo Ancelotti looks to put this season’s defensive problems behind him, Real Madrid is expected to put up a fierce fight for Branthwaite’s signature.
At the start of the season, Los Angeles lost Eder Militao to a severe ACL injury; David Alaba was also sidelined for the remainder of the season due to a similar injury.
A hamstring injury also kept Antonio Rudiger out of the weekend’s tie with Atletico Madrid; thus, Ancelotti’s sole available centre back against the Rojiblancos was Nacho Fernandez.
The 34-year-old Fernandez, who was paired with Dani Carvajal for that Madrid derby, was elevated to club captain last summer, but his Bernabeu contract is now coming to an end.
