Sean Dyche put his ‘foot down’ over Jarrad Branthwaite Everton exit as ‘line in the sand’ emerges at Goodison
Sean Dyche put his foot down over the potential sale of Everton gem Jarrad Branthwaite during the summer transfer window, according to the Liverpool Echo.
The outlet reported on its website on Sunday (21 January) that the Toffees’ boss viewed the centre-back as a “line in the sand” during the summer window, despite knowing that Everton had to consider any serious offers for their players.
Dyche was said to have been forced into selling both Alex Iwobi and Tom Cannon but refused to even entertain bids for Branthwaite and the Everton boss will likely do the same should interest result in bids for Abdoulaye Doucoure during the January window.
Foot down
With each passing week, it seems as though Dyche’s decision to block any potential exit for Branthwaite looks better and better as the England youth international has been one of the Toffees’ best players in a difficult Premier League season.
The poor financial situation at Goodison Park means that Everton’s best players will always be of interest to teams higher up the footballing pyramid, but Dyche has done all that he can to ensure that Branthwaite will be going nowhere, either last summer or in January.
Hopefully, the line in the sand will remain in place at Goodison Park for a while yet and the Toffees will be able to fend off any interest in the 21-year-old, even if huge bids arrive for his services.
Whether or not Dyche will have the power to do the same as interest grows in Doucoure remains to be seen., but if those in charge at Goodison Park want to remain in the Premier League, they have to try their best to keep their best players.
In other Everton news, Newcastle United have already begun “groundwork” over a move for Amadou Onana
For more Everton news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.