Everton have told Manchester United to forget about trying to sign Jarrad Branthwaite on the cheap.
United think they can take advantage of Everton ’s money troubles to land Branthwaite for just £40million. It is understood the Blues value Branthwaite at around twice that amount and the 21-year-old defender is expected to go to Euro 2024 with England. The Cumbrian is a rare breed being a young, left-footed, English centre-half and is tipped to go to the very top.
United made Harry Maguire the world ’s most-expensive defender when they paid Leicester £80million for him in 2019 and Everton value Branthwaite in that region.
The Blues can also point to Josko Gvardiol and Manchester City paid RB Leipzig £77.6million for the left-sided defender a year ago.
Chelsea also splashed out £70million to land Wesley Fofana from Leicester two years ago. Everton paid Carlisle just £1million for Branthwaite in January 2020 and it is reported the Cumbrian side have a 15 per cent sell-on clause.
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Branthwaite, who has three years left on his Everton deal, has enjoyed a spectacular breakthrough season at Goodison Park after spending the last campaign on loan at PSV Eindhoven.
He made 41 appearances and scored three goals, including the opener in the memorable Merseyside derby win over Liverpool in April. He formed a solid centre-half partnership with skipper James Tarkowski and they helped Everton finish with the fourth-best defence in the Premier League, conceding 51 goals.
Branthwaite was joint top in terms of tackles made by Premier League defenders with 66 and third in interceptions with 50.
Manchester United are keen to sign Jarrad Branthwaite (Getty Images)
Jarrad Branthwaite is part of the provisional England squad for Euro 2024 (Getty Images)Everton’s director of football Kevin Thelwell admits some players may have to be sold because of the uncertainty over the club’s ownership. Prospective buyers 777 Partners’ exclusivity agreement ends on Friday and owner Farhad Moshiri will then be able to speak to other interested parties.
Thelwell and manager Sean Dyche are trying to function in the meantime and this does not mean they will preside over a fire sale at Goodison Park. They are determined to get the full market value for Branthwaite, or any of their other stars, if they leave this summer.
Newcastle are monitoring Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s position at Everton and the striker finished the campaign on fire, scoring four goals in five games to help the club stay up. This tally included the second against Liverpool last month and the 27-year-old former England international finished with eight goals in total.
Calvert-Lewin’s Everton deal expires next June and the club have offered him new terms. The club remain in talks with his team and it is understood the Blues have not received any offers from Newcastle.
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