Everton: BBC Sport journalist speculates transfer interest in ‘outstanding’ Jarrad Branthwaite
Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite is expected to be a “hot property” in the summer transfer window.
That is according to BBC Sport journalist Phil McNulty following a first England call-up for the Goodison Park ace.
Three Lions manager Gareth Southgate has selected Branthwaite in his squad for the upcoming friendlies against Brazil and Belgium.
“Jarrad Branthwaite’s first England call-up is a fully deserved reward as the young defender has been an outstanding shining light amid the gloom and trauma of Everton’s traumatic season,” McNulty wrote for BBC Sport.
“The 21-year-old, who started his career at Carlisle United, returned to Goodison Park a more mature and rounded player of physical presence and natural ability after a successful loan spell in Eredivisie with PSV Eindhoven last season.
“Branthwaite has formed a fine defensive partnership with the experienced James Tarkowski and, with Everton struggling against financial difficulties, is expected to emerge as a transfer hot property in the summer, with Manchester United among his admirers.”
Will Everton ace Jarrad Branthwaite leave Goodison Park this summer?
Branthwaite really has shone under Sean Dyche, with the Toffees manager deserving plenty of credit for the player’s progression.
Having been loaned out to PSV, the centre-back was eased into the starting XI by the man in the dugout, rather than being immediately thrown in at the deep end.
And it has worked very well, with Branthwaite a shining light at Goodison Park amid all the negativity, both on and off the pitch.
But in turn, his displays could prove to be a negative in the long-run, with plenty of transfer interest expected in the central defender this summer.
Whether or not Manchester United win the race remains to be seen, but the Red Devils could certainly do with a player of Branthwaite’s ability.
His England call-up meanwhile is only set to increase the player’s profile, in what has been a fantastic debut season in the top-flight of English football for the 21-year-old.
In other Everton news, a talkSPORT pundit has mooted an Erik ten Hag sack at Manchester United despite their recent win over the Toffees.
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