Everton might now be forced to cash in on Jarrad Branthwaite and other key assets
Everton may have to sell one big asset every window which could mean Jarrad Branthwaite parting ways with the club, according to Paul Brown.
The former Daily Express journalist told Give Me Sport that due to the precarious nature of finances at Goodison Park, the Toffees may find it hard to retain the services of the 21-year-old.
The centre-back has become a first-team regular this season under Sean Dyche and has partnered James Tarkowski at the back.
Brown said, “I think Branthwaite is going from strength to strength. He looks like a player who could be the core of whatever Everton do defensively for many years if they manage to hold onto him.
“That’s the big question mark, whether they can or not because the state of the club’s finances mean they’re not in a great position to hold on to promising young players frankly.
“And I think over the next few transfer windows, depending on what happens with the takeover, you might see Everton being forced to sell at least one asset in each window. We’ll see.”
Hope he stays
The Athletic valued the English defender around the £20million mark this summer after his loan spell last season.
However, after a good season being the first choice defender, his valuation undoubtedly will have increased.
He quickly went from a player who could potentially be sold to among the key assets at the club, given his age and quality.
He can be a regular starter for most if not all mid and lower half Premier League sides.
Manchester United, too, were linked with him so perhaps the super-rich clubs too may fancy taking a punt on him in the coming windows.
Hopefully, the Toffees can convince him to stay and they know that their results are going to have to be good enough or they’ll struggle to keep hold of their best players.
In other Everton news, a BBC pundit believes that a first-team player may have upset the rest of the dressing room after what he did and said recently.