Everton left with no choice over Jarrad Branthwaite transfer as points deductions update emerges
Everton may have no choice but to cash in on Jarrad Branthwaite this summer after it emerged that the club could be at risk of further points deductions.
According to iNews [21 May], Manchester United remain interested and value the defender at £55million, while the Toffees are expected to hold out for £80million if they are to sell him this summer.
However, the club’s hierarchy may not be able to be as picky as initially preferred, especially after the latest points deduction blow.
Everton have yet to account for millions of pounds of interest that the club claims were from loans used for the development of Bramley-Moore Dock Stadium. [Liverpool Echo]
If the Toffees were to lose that argument, that amount of money needed to avoid a third breach of the £105million loss threshold could result in another two points deductions.
This would be for if the previous breach is found to be “significantly higher”, than when the club were deducted points earlier in the season, and a second as this would make compliance much more difficult.
If this were to be the case, selling Branthwaite this summer could be an extremely simple fix, though it would leave Sean Dyche with a gaping hole in his defence and missing a key superstar.
Could Everton use Jarrad Branthwaite as collateral for PSR issues?
The 21-year-old defender has seen a sharp rise in interest since his breakout earlier this season, with multiple European clubs keeping tabs on him ahead of the summer transfer window.
It is easy to see why he has gained such accolades, with the defensive trio of Branthwaite, James Tarkowski and Jordan Pickford only conceding more goals than Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool.
At the age of 21, Branthwaite is one of the most exciting youngsters in Europe. If teams come knocking this summer with a significant bid, it may be very difficult for Everton to turn it down, especially with the recent PSR update.
Of course, that would mean parting with one of the biggest talents the Goodison Park crowd has witnessed in years. But with such damaging punishments potentially on the horizon, the club may have no choice.
In other Everton news, 777 Partners’ “prison” verdict has emerged as the takeover of the club delves into further chaos.
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