Everton: Sean Dyche confirms Jarrad Branthwaite transfer position amid Manchester United links
Everton do not want to sell Jarrad Branthwaite and currently are not in a position to need to, according to Sean Dyche.
The Toffees boss denied that there is a “problem” that would force the club to part with the centre-back, and is “hoping” that will remain the case.
The 21-year-old has been attracting transfer interest from a number of Premier League sides, including this weekend’s opponents Manchester United, but despite the financial concerns at Goodison Park Dyche expects to keep his defender at this stage.
He said, via The Mirror (8 March): “We don’t want to sell any good players. It’s as simple as that and he’s proven to be a very good player. We’re not in the business of trying to sell players.
“You only sell players if you have to sell players or there’s a problem. There’s no problem, therefore I’m just hoping we don’t need to sell players. At the minute, we certainly don’t so we will see.”
Jarrad Branthwaite not set for Everton sale despite Old Trafford interest
Toffees supporters might feel more confident if the manager could do more than hope he won’t have to sell players in the summer.
With the ongoing takeover picture still unclear despite more than double the usual timeframe having already passed and 777 Partners provide loans to keep the club running, the situation looks precarious.
Everton have already been charged for profit and sustainability breaches relating to consecutive accounting periods, and a big-money sale would help avoid a third.
If the takeover doesn’t go through then logically the situation is going to require an alternative to step in and pick up the running costs as quickly as possible, assuming Farhad Moshiri’s days of spending on the club are over.
There are said to be rival bidders waiting but as legal complications pile up in the US for 777 and the Premier League don’t have a decision ready the situation doesn’t fill observers with confidence.
Either way Dyche would surely put Branthwaite some way down the list of players he would willingly sacrifice if he does have to see some go.
But with a price tag of up to £100million he would potentially provide the biggest financial boost in one.
In other Everton news, Jamie Carragher has suggested the Toffees deserve government cash for the stadium development.
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