David Ornstein shares update on Everton financial situation, future Jarrad Branthwaite sale mooted
David Ornstein says Everton are now in a much stronger financial position than previously as they are able to “cash in quite spectacularly” on a number of players if needed.
The Toffees were recently made to pay for their apparent financial mismanagement when docked a record 10 points by the Premier League.
While there are still concerns with regards to finances as Everton await news on the proposed 777 Partners takeover, the club have a number of big-money assets on their books as a safety net of sorts.
Speaking on The Athletic Football Podcast [18 December, 15m 50s], Ornstein said: “For the first time in a while, we’re seeing a bit of value in the squad.
“They have sold the [Anthony] Gordons and Richarlisons of this world, but perhaps they were one-offs. There are players across the board now you look at that, if things got a bit difficult…
“[Jarrad] Branthwaite springs to mind as a great asset. Everton will hope to keep hold of him, but they could if needed, when you talk about their financial situation, cash in quite spectacularly.
“It was a great piece of recruitment by the previous regime. [Amadou] Onana is another constantly being looked at by the biggest clubs as an option.”
Valuable assets
Not that they will have any intention of doing so, but Branthwaite could potentially bring in a record sum for Everton if his current trajectory is anything to go by.
Onana is also supposedly a target for Arsenal [Daily Mail], while Jordan Pickford could raise a tidy sum if it ever came to it.
Thankfully, Everton do not look as though they will find themselves in a position in which they have to raise funds through player sales any time soon.
That is not to say rival clubs will not step forward with a bid for Branthwaite next summer, say, but there will be no reason to accept unless it is a serious amount of money.
Had it not been for the impressive work of Sean Dyche, Everton could easily have found themselves in a bleak position this January, potentially having to cash in with the threat of relegation hovering.
As it is, the only way is up with this group of players capable of challenging for a top-half finish, regardless of what else is thrown at them.
In other Everton news, a journalist has slammed the “pathetic” conduct of a rival club after what happened last weekend.