(Credit: Imago)

Jacob Raw

Tue 21 April 2026 11:10, UK

Everton‘s decision to reject a £35million offer from Manchester United back in 2024 may be the first and last big offer that the Toffees will have ever received for the defender.

The Toffees were said to value the defender at £80m at the time, and now it’s hard to argue against the fact that he won’t be worth half as much as that now.

Availability is always key in football, and Branthwaite’s latest setback in the 2-1 defeat to Liverpool has only raised more questions about the Englishman.

The 23-year-old has missed 35 Premier League matches from this and last season, and his transfer value will most likely have taken another plummet following his new injury.

David Moyes is fearing the worst, and Everton’s decision to reject £35m for Branthwaite could become costly in the years to come.

What has David Moyes said about Jarrad Branthwaite’s injury?

Everton had every right to reject the offer for Branthwaite, with the Blues knowing fine well that Man united could have paid the £80m.

It’s easy to say they should have sold him then and there in hindsight, but his ceiling is so high that it would have been a mistake.

However, that £35m fee could be one that never comes the Toffees’ way for the centre-back, especially considering the way his injury problems keep occurring.

Branthwaite was seen leaving the pitch on a stretcher, crying, after being forced to withdraw in the 87th minute against Liverpool, with the Blues now awaiting further results to determine the severity of the setback.

Speaking after the game, Moyes explained his disappointment with Branthwaite’s new issue.

The Everton boss said, as quoted by The Athletic: “I’m worried, but we’ve not had any results,” suggesting that it may not be all too serious.

What is Branthwaite’s current value?

We have seen injuries ruin the careers of top players before, and Everton will fear the same might be happening with Branthwaite.

As Moyes said, the Blues don’t know how serious the injury is, but either way, it’s another setback that could prevent that defender from progressing.

According to Transfermarkt, Branthwaite’s current value is £38m, which is £42m less than what the Toffees valued him back in 2024.

That’s a rough estimate, and Everton may value him more than £38m, but the projections do not work in the Blues’ favour if they want to cash in any time soon.

Maybe it will benefit Moyes’ side in the long run, as teams are surely less likely to be tempted to bid for the Finch Farm project because of these torrid last 12 months.

Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from the heart of Goodison Park.