Everton close to agreeing new five-year deal for Jarrad Branthwaite
Everton are close to agreeing a new five-year deal for centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite, according to Sportsmail.
The 19-year-old – Carlo Ancelotti’s first signing as Toffees boss – is wanted on loan in the Championship by five clubs in January, and the club are ready to approve another temporary exit once they hand him an extended contract.
Branthwaite is yet to make a Premier League appearance this season, and Everton coaches believe regular game time in the Championship will toughen him up and give him necessary experience for his Goodison Park career going forward.
Good move
The teenager had injuries curtail his loan spell at Blackburn Rovers last term, and that hindered his development.
He has only played once for Rafa Benitez’s side, making an appearance in the League Cup clash against Huddersfield Town in August.
Branthwaite featured for the under-23s in the first-half in their 2-1 win over Brighton and Hove Albion in the Premier League 2 on Monday to bolster his fitness, and with Yerry Mina still out injured and Mason Holgate on suspension, he could see a Premier League action before going to the Championship in January.
He is highly rated by Everton coaches who have been impressed by his technicality, and the £900,000 signing from Carlisle United has a future on Merseyside for the club to look to hand him a long deal.
He will now look to impress out on loan and prove to Benitez what he is capable of.
Branthwaite could end up saving the Blues millions going forward if he ends up fulfilling his potential, and he surely has what it takes to become a Premier League star having been included in the first-team by Ancelotti immediately he was signed at 17.
In other Everton news, the Toffees are plotting January loan-to-buy bid for centre-mid hailed by Jack Grealish last month.
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