Ruud van Nistelrooy speaks out on potential PSV move for Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite
Ruud van Nistelrooy has made it abundantly clear that he wants PSV to complete a permanent move for Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite.
The Toffees centre-back is on loan in the Eredivisie and was subject to a £15million offer during the January transfer window which was rejected [Daily Mail, 31 January], but as he becomes increasingly prominent this season it appears a further attempt is likely.
Branthwaite scored twice as the Dutch side overcame FC Emmen in the KNVB Cup on Wednesday night (8 February), after which former Manchester United striker Van Nistelrooy was effusive in his praise of the youngster.
The Dutchman said, as per Voetbal Primeur, after the cup win: “How he fought his way into the team… He showed himself fantastic.”
“He’s complete, he’s got speed, he’s big. He’s also only 20, so there’s a lot of stretch. Or am I going to say they have to do everything they can to keep Branthwaite? To the current technical director, the previous one, the future, all of them”
“Hopefully he is one for the future, that’s how we see him internally.”
Tug of war
Centre-back is currently the position which is arguably most well covered in the Everton first team, but with the potential departure of multiple options in the summer there could be a place back at Goodison Park for Branthwaite.
His loan move has belatedly become very beneficial, but whether it ends up as a permanent deal remains to be seen, as the Toffees will have to balance the money available for him with their transfer priorities elsewhere.
James Tarkowski and Conor Coady are likely to be the starting partnership going forward, assuming Sean Dyche can keep the club up and the Wolves man’s loan deal is made permanent.
But with Yerry Mina, Michael Keane, and Mason Holgate all potentially leaving, the development that Branthwaite has shown in the Netherlands may have put him in the frame for a first team role.
Dyche’s arrival has reset the clock on the whole squad, and it could be that his history at Burnley with Keane gives the ex-England international another chance.
It seems certain that money is going to be on the table for Branthwaite, with Van Nistelrooy clearly a huge fan, so a sale with a buy-back option could makes sense for all parties.