Jarrad Branthwaite drops new Everton exit hint amid Manchester United transfer speculation
Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite may have had the summer off after missing out on England’s Euros squad, but he has been in the news as much as any other player.
The 22-year-old enjoyed an excellent breakthrough campaign under Sean Dyche last term as he impressed supporters and pundits alike with his superb displays alongside James Tarkowsi.
Those performances did catch the eye of some Premier League clubs, none more than Manchester United who have been eager to bring the England international to Old Trafford this summer.
United saw their last offer for Branthwaite thrown out by the Toffees, but Erik ten Hag’s side could still return with an improved proposal before the Premier League season gets underway [Dharmesh Sheth, 15 July].
Reports have suggested that the Everton gem is eager to join the Red Devils [Give Me Sport, 9 July], but in an interview with the Toffees, he may have dropped a hint about his plans for the season ahead.
In an interview posted to X by Everton (18 July), he said: “I think for me it’s just about taking what I learned from last season, and the season before, and putting it all together.
“I think last season, playing all the games I did helped me put performances in and get the experience I needed. I’m going to take that into this season and keep learning.
“When you’ve got a good defensive record, it gives you confidence going into the new season. It’s not just the defenders who contribute to that, it’s the whole team and it’s the way the manager has us set up to give us the best possible chance to win games and to pick up as many points as we can.
“I think it’ll be the same again this season. Hopefully, we can pick up a few wins early on and get the momentum going in the new season.”
Will Jarrad Branthwaite exit Everton amid Manchester United transfer links?
Branthwaite’s focus in this interview appears to be entirely on the start of the next campaign with the Toffees and that will come as good news to Everton supporters.
Although he was never going to tell the Toffees’ official media channels he was disappointed to not have got a move away from Goodison Park, his comments and demeanour aren’t that of a player desperate to leave this summer.
Dyche’s side don’t need to sell any of their biggest names having balanced the books in the early stages of the transfer window.
Unless United come up to their valuation, Branthwaite will be an Everton player next term and he doesn’t appear to be disappointed by that fact.
In other Everton news, an update has emerged surrounding the Toffees’ interest in Armando Broja amid links with Goodison Park
For more Everton news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.