Everton are likely bracing themselves for a flurry of outside interest in stalwart centre-half Jarrad Branthwaite this summer.
With Premier League safety now secured for another campaign, the Toffees will soon turn their attention to the forthcoming transfer window, in which they’ll again face such little room for manoeuvre around the division’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules.
Breaching such limits on two occasions has seen them penalised with two separate points deductions, initially for 10 points in November 2023 and then for a further two points in April. The former has since been reduced to eight, while plans are in place for an appeal over the latter.
Nevertheless, the Everton hierarchy will be well aware that sanctioning the exits of players will only aid their case – off the pitch, that is. If it were up to them, they’d likely have Branthwaite put pen to paper on a 10-year contract now in order to keep his future tied down on Merseyside.
The 21-year-old defender is certainly one of the side’s most valuable assets, hence why he’s attracting interest from the likes of Manchester United, Newcastle United and even 14-time European champions Real Madrid.
Eddie Howe’s side have only recently established their interest in the Englishman, who is yet to address any of the ongoing speculation over his future. FootballTransfers claims that Everton are likely to demand an upfront fee of £65 million along with a further £10m in add-ons.
United must bolster their squad following a season of debilitating injuries that has undoubtedly hit the backline the hardest. As well as that, Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans will be departing Old Trafford for free when their contracts expire in June.
