Everton ace Jarrad Branthwaite transfer update emerges amid Newcastle speculation
Sky Sports journalist and presenter Pete Graves believes that Newcastle are not interested in signing Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite.
Graves admitted he was surprised that the Magpies did not make an approach for the English centre-back given the dearth of options in defence for Eddie Howe.
He claims that the fans have decided Emil Kratfh and Jamaal Lascelles are not the ones to address the club’s defensive woes.
He said on The Transfer Talk, as quoted by Give Me Sport: “The Newcastle fans have decided that Emil Kratfh isn’t the answer at centre-back, that Jamal Lascelles isn’t the answer. They know that Sven Botman is injured, and it’s going to be a case of yesterday (Sunday), Dan Burn and Emile Krafth as centre-backs.
“They were desperate for a centre back and, of course, Newcastle chased Marc Guehi up until the dying days of the window, and didn’t get him. The Newcastle fans could not believe that there wasn’t option two, three, four, and five. But of course, Eddie Howe said from the start that Marc Guehi, he was the one he wanted. Didn’t get him, so decided not to go and spend that money.
“I was surprised they didn’t maybe look at Branthwaite, but seemingly he’s not one that they fancy. Who am I to say who they should go for?”
Newcastle would not have been able to match the Everton asking rate for Jarrad Branthwaite
Newcastle’s decision not to pursue Branthwaite despite their defensive needs can be largely attributed to financial constraints.
The club, under the ownership of PIF, has been known for strategic spending rather than the lavish outlays seen at clubs like Manchester United.
Branthwaite, valued around £70million by Everton due to his potential and performances, was already considered over Manchester United’s typical transfer budget, which is significantly larger than Newcastle’s.
The Magpies’ transfer strategy in recent windows has been influenced by Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR), aiming for sustainable growth rather than immediate high spending.
This approach was evident when they failed to secure Marc Guehi, indicating a limit to how much they were willing or able to spend on a single player.
Therefore, even though the 22-year-old might have been a tactical fit, his price tag likely exceeded Newcastle’s financial planning for the transfer window, especially after investments in other areas of the squad.
In other Everton news, the club are in deep trouble with their takeover bid as a Bramley-Moore Dock claim has emerged.
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