Everton: ‘Very nice’ Jarrad Branthwaite deal on cards as Manchester United transfer tipped
Jarrad Branthwaite’s transfer suitors are in line to get a “very nice deal” for the Everton defender, as Stan Collymore backed him to leave the club.
The pundit said in his column for Caught Offside on 12 April that the centre-back is one of six key Premier League players who need to make a move at the end of the season to show ambition, along with Goodison Park teammate Amadou Onana.
Collymore has suggested Manchester United could be the ones to win the race for Branthwaite to fill the boots of Harry Maguire, and suggested anyone who lands the youngster will come out of it well if they can avoid overpaying on a premium because he’s English.
He wrote: “Jarrad Branthwaite. Heir apparent to Harry Maguire for club and country? Just be wary of the “English“ levy on his price and any potential suitor should get a very nice deal for a player who could be a mainstay for some years top come.”
Everton star bound for Old Trafford to replace Harry Maguire?
It is a bit of a stretch to suggest Branthwaite would be unambitious if he didn’t leave the Toffees after just one season as a Premier League regular when he is still only 21.
There is even an argument that it would be too soon for him to join a title-chasing side, but the considerable interest around him from virtually all the big-spenders in England as well as Carlo Ancelotti and Real Madrid that may be a moot point.
The financial pressures on Everton are no secret and despite Sean Dyche claiming a month ago that there was “no problem” that would require the club to sell the defender that has seemingly turned out to be wishful thinking, with the release of the accounts suggesting a major sale is needed to avoid yet another profit and sustainability breach.
Everton were briefly linked to a move for Maguire in the summer but it was shut down, although they are certainly going to need someone to step in if regular starter Branthwaite is sacrificed to balance the books.
The centre-back is surely the man who could bring in the single largest fee but would arguably leave the most gaping space behind, but “English levy” or not he won’t be cheap.
In other Everton news, a new Jahm Najafi verdict has been issued as MSP Sports Capital currently stand to gain control of the club.
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