Liverpool ready to hijack Manchester United move for Everton gem Branthwaite in January
Liverpool have moved ahead of Manchester United in the race to sign star Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite and could move for him as early as January, according to the Daily Mail.
The Mail reported on 1 October that Man United are expected to try again to sign the centre-back next summer, having previously pursued him heavily in the summer transfer window.
Branthwaite is valued beyond £70million at Goodison Park [GiveMeSport, 10 September], but after United spent over £100m on other defensive targets, Liverpool could now swoop in as early as January and can reportedly go close to Everton's asking price.
An unwillingness from the defender to extend his contract, which currently runs to 2027, leaves the club vulnerable to losing Branthwaite, who reportedly wants a £160,000-per-week wage which Everton [Daily Mail, 25 July], at present, cannot match.
Everton selling Jarrad Branthwaite to Liverpool is unthinkable
No Toffees fan the world over wanted to see Branthwaite sold this summer, even if his big-money departure would have helped to ease the club's precarious financial situation.
Having their best young prospect snapped up for a big fee by Manchester United would have reminded fans of Wayne Rooney 20 years ago – who went on to great success as the Blues stagnated without him.
Dan Friedkin's takeover on Merseyside is not only expected to steady the ship financially, but also to put a stop to the Toffees being a club who sell their best players to the first "big" club that comes calling.
Branthwaite moving across the city to Liverpool of all clubs, however, would be the worst possible PR move possible for the club, and leave a sour taste in the mouth of fans for years to come.
If Friedkin does choose to balance those books by taking the money for Branthwaite, he'd be getting his ownership off on a poor, yet somewhat understandable, footing.
However, if the Goodison faithful see their star defender cross the divide to the red half of Merseyside, Friedkin's time in charge could be as good as over before it's even started.
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