Jarrad Branthwaite exit could now be on the cards after Everton twist amid Manchester United chase
Everton could now be forced to sell Jarrad Branthwaite after all following the collapse of Dan Friedkin’s takeover, James Ducker as suggested.
The Telegraph journalist reacted via X on 19 July after the news that the American had pulled out of his proposed buy-out of Farhad Moshiri over concerns regarding the debt owed to 777 Parters and A-Cap [The Athletic, 19 July].
That bombshell development has plunged the Toffees back into crisis and raised major questions over the finances at Goodison Park again.
Manchester United had been trying to take advantage of just such a scenario [Mirror, 14 June] before a pair of bids for star defender Branthwaite, 22, which were well short of the £70million-plus asking price and the implication now is that such a situation could be back on the cards.
Sean Dyche faces potential loss of Everton stars after Dan Friedkin takeover collapse
What happens next will dictate quite how serious this news is but the immediate reaction is the takeover development is a devastating blow to Everton and the fans.
After a season fraught with worry over the financial future of the club as red flags emerged around a doomed 777 deal Friedkin’s emergence as a serious option appeared to have finally set the Toffees on the right path.
Work behind the scenes and careful management of the transfer window had raised hopes that Sean Dyche might emerge from the summer with a new-look squad with some dynamic additions and crucially with Branthwaite still a part of it as Amadou Onana’s sale had essentially closed the door on selling the centre-back [David Ornstein, 13 July].
Everton had refused to consider reducing their asking price to suit INEOS at Old Trafford in the face of two bids that reached a maximum of £50m.
But whether concern over the prospect of entering the season without a new buyer in place will now compel the club to cash in on assets while the transfer window remains open is now an obvious concern.
Whether it does or not Evertonians have been dumped back at squad one yet again and in search of answers when a new owner is badly needed.
In other Everton news, the Toffees have made an approach to sign an international who is available way cheaper than his “astronomical” release clause.
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