Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite has stunned Sky Sports pundit Sue Smith amid interest from Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United in his transfer for January.
The 21-year-old has been a star for the Toffees this term after forcing his way into boss Sean Dyche’s plans. Branthwaite started the season among Everton’s substitutes but has started 17 of their last 18 Premier League fixtures. He only sat out their win at Burnley due to a ban.
Branthwaite has been a rock at the back for the Blues but received five yellow cards over his first 14 outings. The England U21 enforcer’s efforts are also attracting interest from rival top-flight teams. TEAMtalk has listed Tottenham and Manchester United as suitors for a transfer.
Tottenham and Manchester United target Jarrad Branthwaite’s transfer
Tottenham and Manchester United have scouted Branthwaite for more than a year after first taking an interest in a transfer while the Everton defender was on loan to PSV Eindhoven. He spent the 2022/23 campaign in the Netherlands and also helped Boeren take the KNVB Cup.
But TEAMtalk adds that Everton are using Wesley Fofana’s £75m transfer from Leicester City to Chelsea in August 2022 as a marker for their price tag. The Toffees believe Branthwaite is worth a similar fee, especially if either of Spurs or the Red Devils tables a bid during January.
Sue Smith has praised Everton’s ‘class’ centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite
Branthwaite also only just agreed to sign a new contract at Goodison Park through until June 2027 in October. So, Everton believe they can match Fofana’s £75m transfer to Chelsea with the Carlisle United product. His transfer would also go a long way to easing their FFP issues.
Tottenham and Manchester United must now decide if they are prepared to spend £75m on Branthwaite’s transfer in January. Everton’s fans are certainly hoping neither comes forward with an offer, it seems. Smith has joked that the Blues’ supporters want him to avoid praise.
“A lot of Everton fans say, ‘Don’t big Branthwaite up’,” she joked on Sky Sports News (30/12, 15:41). “He’s a class act. Every time he gets the ball, he’s just so calm and composed when he gets it. [He] reads the game so well [and] he’s got that pace to get back in.”
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