Manchester City could help out Everton as Jarrad Branthwaite summer transfer stance shared
Manchester City could do Everton a financial favour by paying £60million for Jarrad Branthwaite, according to The Mirror.
Branthwaite is in demand ahead of the summer transfer window, having also been touted as a target for Manchester United and Tottenham.
In a report written by Josh O’Brien for the publication’s online edition [24 March], it is claimed Everton value the centre-back at at least £60m.
That fee may deter the likes of Manchester United and Tottenham, but City have the cash to follow through with their initial interest.
The report adds: “City could comfortably meet such a fee and could actually be doing Everton a favour in the process.
“Earlier this season, the Toffees were deducted 10 points after being found guilty of breaching the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules.
“That deduction was later reduced to six, but Everton remain somewhat hamstrung financially.
“Branthwaite is undeniably the club’s most sellable asset at this time, given his age and the fact he is a homegrown talent.”
Jarrad Branthwaite summer transfer interest
Should the 777 Partners takeover go through and the Toffees remain in the Premier League, there is far less of a reason to cash in on Branthwaite.
Bringing in £60m through a single sale will of course have the new owners’ mouths watering, but Branthwaite is tied down in terms of his contract.
The 21-year-old’s valuation will arguably only climb higher, and Everton would have to spend a large part of that cash on finding a replacement.
Alternatively, if the takeover collapses, or if the club was to drop into the Championship this summer, then the whole picture completely changes.
Everton would much rather sell one player than six at the same price, although that would at least get some high wages off the books.
That is all ifs and buts, though. And right now, Everton will not be considering a sale regardless of the interest.
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