PSV Eindhoven in late-window push to buy Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite outright
PSV Eindhoven are attempting to sign Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite on a permanent deal in the final days of the transfer window, Rik Elfrink reports.
The 20-year-old centre back is already on loan at the Eredivisie club, and there had been speculation before Christmas that his loan may be cut short this month in order for him to make a permanent exit to Roma.
But after playing every minute in all competitions since the turn of the year the Dutch side are the ones who are making a push, with the Daily Mail (27 January) reporting that they are “poised to make a bid” for a player who has also impressed Manchester City.
The Eindhovens Dagblad journalist Elfrink reported via Twitter on Friday (27 January): “PSV is making attempts to sign Jarrad Branthwaite permanently from Everton and thus to buy.”
But The Mail report suggests that the upheaval around the appointment of Sean Dyche as manager may see the bid turned down while the squad is assessed.
Impressed
Branthwaite is buried down the pecking order at Everton since the arrival of James Tarkowski and Conor Coady in the summer, and looks to have grown in stature for PSV since the start of 2023.
Before that he had been in and out of the side, and the temporary move looked like it might not be working out as hoped.
But now that he is a regular he appears to have shown some solid development, and the decision as to whether he leaves permanently will surely come down to money.
The likes of Michael Keane, Yerry Mina and Mason Holgate may not be at the club much longer, and if all three were gone Branthwaite would have a clearer route to Toffees action.
The run in the PSV team would also potentially make him a much more attractive option for the incoming Dyche next season.
But, despite the expected windfall from selling Anthony Gordon to Newcastle, Everton need money if they are to strengthen before the end of this window, so if there is a good offer on the table for Branthwaite the hierarchy might be tempted to take it, although a buy-back option would surely be a good idea in that instance.