John Textor speculates how much it would take for Everton to sell Jarrad Branthwaite
Prospective Everton owner John Textor discussed the potential value of Jarrad Branthwaite during a news conference, according to journalist Paul Brown.
Textor, who is in talks with Farhad Moshiri to take over the Toffees, was speaking to reporters about the value of defenders in general when answering questions about Ligue 1 side Lyon, who the American also owns.
Brown suggested that Textor speculated the value of Branthwaite – who was the subject of failed transfer interest from Manchester United in the summer – could be around £50.6million (€60m) when he was discussing the value of defenders in general.
Everton resist Jarrad Branthwaite approaches
Having been the subject of multiple failed bids from a club willing to hand him an enormous salary, Branthwaite now has to get his head down and continue his football.
A consummate young professional, he embodies the spirit of the Everton supporters but there is a natural fear that he will leave the club sooner rather than later.
Reports suggested the Toffees were holding out for a huge £80m bid – the same as Manchester United paid for Harry Maguire in 2019 [Ben Jacobs, 5 July] – but a matching proposal never arrived on the table.
Sidelined with a groin injury, it can be seen how much of a difference Branthwaite makes to this Everton team. They have been a defensive liability without his assurance in the heart of the backline, conceding 11 goals in just three games.
Branthwaite is a hugely important asset to the Toffees and the hope will be that he continues to be so under Textor if he can complete his purchase of the club.
Speculation of a move is unlikely to subside any time soon but the main focus right now is to get the 22-year-old fit and playing in the Premier League.
In other Everton news, controversy emerges between Vitaliy Mykolenko and Ukraine supporters.
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