Everton have offered Jarrad Branthwaite a new contract as they look to ward off interest from rival suitors such as Premier League giants Manchester United.
When Harry Maguire’s proposed £30 million move to West Ham fell through earlier this month, it seemed that we could draw a line under Manchester United’s pursuit of another centre-half. For this window, at least.
That was, however, until Saudi Arabian interest emerged in Raphael Varane. And while the World Cup winner appears keen to stay put as things stand, a mega-money offer could yet turn his and Manchester United’s head.
Alongside Bayern Munich’s Benjamin Pavard, Nice’s Jean-Clair Todibo and Bayer Leverkusen’s Edmond Tapsoba, Jarrad Branthwaite is another name floated behind the scenes at United.
Man United like Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite
The Daily Mail report that Branthwaite impressed the Red Devils scouts with his impressive performances on loan at PSV Eindhoven in 2022/23. He helped PSV defeat Erik ten Hag’s former employers Ajax in the Dutch Cup final.
And while Branthwaite still has two years left on his contract at Goodison Park, Everton are leaving nothing to chance. The Mail add that Everton have offered the former Carlisle United youngster a new and ‘improved’ deal as they look to reduce the chance their England U21 international being snapped up by a Premier League rival.
Everton rejected PSV’s £15 million bid in January. Worryingly for Sean Dyche and co, however, Branthwaite has spoken openly about his interest in a permanent departure should first-team football prove to be unattainable on Merseyside.
‘A great talent’
“He is a great talent,” United legend and former PSV coach Ruud van Nistelrooy says of Branthwaite. “The boy is 20 (now 21), but he has a future. He is good on the ball, can play on the left or the right of centre-back because he is two-footed.
“He has height and speed, so he is very complete.”