Jarrad Branthwaite transfer development at Goodison Park after Everton FFP charge as Manchester United, Real Madrid chase
Everton are set to be forced to once again sell a key asset in light of their ongoing financial concerns and Jarrad Branthwaite is the most likely man to go, according to Graeme Bailey.
The journalist reported for HITC on 16 January, after the Toffees were referred a second time for an alleged profit and sustainability breach a day earlier, that the star centre-back could now leave in the summer with Manchester United and Real Madrid both after him.
A big-money sale is said to be required even if 777 Partners are successful in completing a takeover of the club, which they hope to do this month, while it is possible that multiple players will have to be shifted.
Doubt has been shed elsewhere on the chances of the American firm getting Premier League approval, with a rival US-based bid now said to be in the offing.
Everton have already placed a £100million asking price on Branthwaite and were previously said to not be under pressure to sell.
Same old story
Nothing is guaranteed either way yet when the club’s original P&S punishment is under appeal and it has been insisted they aren’t even in breach this time around.
But when Richarlison and Anthony Gordon were both hurried out of Goodison Park for a combined £100m-plus [Sky Sports & Sky Sports] in recent transfer windows it is not a positive to see the threat of the same thing happening again anyway.
It goes without saying that a nine-figure fee should make a substantial difference to the accounting situation at the club, but it will also make a corresponding negative difference to Sean Dyche’s team if it does happen.
The 21-year-old has already become one of the first names on the team sheet next to James Tarkowski at the back, and while he still has strides to make in his development the importance of both was on display in securing a clean sheet in the goalless draw with Aston Villa at the weekend.
If Everton are successful in arguing their case in front of the ever-expanding number of commission panels then perhaps this threat evaporates.
But on the other hand there are few players in world football who are completely disinterested when Real Madrid come calling, and with Carlo Ancelotti in charge at the Santiago Bernabeu after handing Branthwaite his Toffees debut the Spanish giants could be a threat regardless.
In other Everton news, Richard Keys has reacted in disbelief at “scary” developments he saw at Goodison Park.