Everton stance emerges as Erik ten Hag targets Jarrad Branthwaite for Manchester United transfer after Liverpool interest
Everton will “refuse” to sell Jarrad Branthwaite to Manchester United amid interest from Erik ten Hag, according to Football Transfers.
The outlet reported on its website on 2 August that the Toffees’ stance is that the 21-year-old is “not for sale”, just as they rejected £15million from PSV Eindhoven, where the centre-back spent last season on loan and impressed United scouts.
According to Football Transfers Jurgen Klopp was also interested in Branthwaite during the January window but decided it would be too difficult to take the “tall, physical” defender to rivals Liverpool so didn’t bid, and Everton are now equally unwilling to let him go to Old Trafford.
Branthwaite, who has made 13 Toffees appearances so far, emerged as a “surprise” target for Ten Hag amid Saudi competition for Sofyan Amrabat.
Everton have already sold youngsters Ellis Simms and Ishe Samuels-Smith this summer, but are apparently drawing the line at the former Eredivisie man.
Next generation
Everton have gone through all the right steps for developing Branthwaite so far, in giving him a taste of first-team action before sending him out on a good loan move.
He looks to have proved himself over the past year, hence the various sources of transfer interest, so now is the time for Sean Dyche to benefit.
Space has been made in the squad with the departures of Yerry Mina and Conor Coady so everything looks set up for Branthwaite to become a full-time senior option.
Doing all of the developmental leg work just to benefit of Manchester United would be a major frustration, but given the highly-rated Samuels-Smith was sold to Chelsea for £4m it wouldn’t have been a shock [The Athletic, 5 July].
So it is reassuring that Everton look set to keep hold of the towering Branthwaite for the new season, and suggests that he is in line for a much-expanded role.
Dyche preferred to partner Michael Keane with James Tarkowski last term, but the returning PSV loanee could now be in line to battle with Ben Godfrey to take over as starter.
In other Everton news, the club are about to sign a potential “elite player” and fans should be getting “excited”.