Latest news with #Branthwaite
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
What the ECHO knows about Jarrad Branthwaite transfer interest as Everton braced for serious offers
Everton are braced for another summer of interest in Jarrad Branthwaite. The centre-back remains on the radar of several Premier League clubs. The Blues rebuffed two bids for the 22-year-old from Manchester United last summer. Neither offer, with the second for a package worth around £50m, came close to meeting the club's valuation of a player who had enjoyed a stunning breakthrough year. Advertisement The potential for the Old Trafford club to return 12 months on has diminished after their failure to qualify for Champions League football but interest from Tottenham Hotspur, whose Europa League final success over Man Utd secured a place in Europe's premier competition, is understood to be serious. Chelsea are also believed to be considering a move for Branthwaite, though it is Spurs whose interest is felt to be stronger at this early stage of the transfer window. READ MORE: Everton new transfers could face wait after key date passes READ MORE: Matt O'Riley Everton transfer move examined as David Moyes faces dilemma David Moyes is eager to keep hold of the England international , who became a key pillar of one of the top flight's most stringent defences after missing the opening weeks of last season through injury. Advertisement The Blues boss has set his sights on building the squad that will take Everton into their stunning new stadium around a defensive axis of goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and the centre back pairing of Branthwaite and James Tarkowski. That plan has already been dealt one setback, with 32-year-old Tarkowski requiring surgery on a hamstring injury that ruled him out of the final month of the season. The operation is understood to have gone well but there is concern the recovery period could eat into pre-season preparations. Branthwaite is under contract at Everton until the end of June 2027, having signed a new deal following his emergence into the first team in the opening months of the 2023/24 campaign. Everton, who signed him from Carlisle United in 2020, are in a strong position to rebuff speculative interest as a result. The player, meanwhile, is understood to be content on Merseyside and appreciative of the opportunities Everton have provided him - and can continue to offer him with the move to the Hill Dickinson Stadium. An offer of Champions League football could hold an appeal, but only if Everton are offered a deal the club deemed to be serious - something Man Utd failed to do last season . Advertisement Ahead of the World Cup in 12 months' time, England manager Thomas Tuchel is yet to select him since he took over the senior national squad and, of those chosen ahead of him so far, Levi Colwill and Dan Burn will be competing in the Champions League next season with Chelsea and Newcastle United respectively. Marc Guehi will also be playing in Europe after Crystal Palace won the FA Cup. Should a high-profile offer be turned down there would be an expectation of contract talks reflecting the club's value of him, given that his current deal was built around his status as a rising star within the Everton squad. Given Branthwaite was bought for just £1m, any sale would be significant from the perspective of Everton's position in relation to the league's Profit and Sustainability Regulations (PSR). The hangover of previous difficult years will still play a role in the club's PSR figures ahead of the June 30 deadline but, from the beginning of the new football financial year on July 1, Everton should have the freedom to be more ambitious in the transfer market. The club's financial outlook has been strengthened since last summer due to the stability provided by The Friedkin Group since their takeover was completed in December.
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Everton handed Jarrad Branthwaite verdict as key transfer domino could fall
Everton supporters knew it was coming. The Jarrad Branthwaite transfer rumour mill has sprung into life again. The England international enjoyed another fine campaign for the Blues and after being the subject of two bids from Manchester United last summer - both were rejected - there is set to be more interest in the centre-back in the coming weeks. Advertisement Tottenham Hotspur hold a serious interest in Branthwaite and could offer him Champions League football. David Moyes is said to be keen to keep hold of the defender this summer though, as the Blues begin a new era at Hill Dickinson Stadium. READ MORE: What the ECHO knows about Jarrad Branthwaite transfer interest as Everton braced for serious offers READ MORE: Matt O'Riley Everton transfer move examined as David Moyes faces dilemma With that in mind, is it imperative Everton keep hold of their star defender this summer? Our Blues writers have their say. Joe Thomas David Moyes already viewed Branthwaite as key to his summer plans before the injury to James Tarkowski. The hope with Tarkowski is that his recovery from the hamstring issue that curtailed his season is a successful one. But it could eat into pre-season and fears of long-term consequences of an injury that required surgery will linger until he is back playing, particularly for a player whose durability is essential to his game. Advertisement With that in mind, I'd be keener than ever to keep hold of Branthwaite. The emergence of Jake O'Brien does offer a degree of protection should an offer that is too good to turn down come in, but unless there are any PSR concerns that are not in public view, he is a superstar to build the Everton of the future around. I do think everyone has to be realistic. If a club offering Champions League football met Everton's valuation of him, then it may require everyone to be sensible. It would represent a lot of profit for the Blues and provide a real opportunity for the 22-year-old to stake a claim for the World Cup squad next year. He should be able to do that from Merseyside but Thomas Tuchel's unwillingness to select him so far has been notable. But unless and until someone meets the valuation the club have in mind - and they will have one - my hope is Everton and Branthwaite can move forward together. Should that be the case, I do think Everton would need to reward him with a new contract. The flip side of turning down £50m+, as they did last year, is they cannot then take it for granted that he is content with the salary of a player who signed a deal reflective of having just broken into the first team. Chris Beesley Is keeping hold of Jarrad Branthwaite essential to Everton's summer? Advertisement Well, no, but is Branthwaite staying the best outcome for player and Everton alike? I believe yes. Some 21 years ago, in his first stint as Blues boss, David Moyes lost his prize asset when Wayne Rooney defected to Manchester United. Over two decades on, it's still a sore point with many Evertonians as they reminded the lad who once sported the 'Once a Blue, always a Blue t-shirt,' when he returned for Goodison Park's final Premier League fixture. Rooney might now be in his 40th year and of course the Croxteth-born star became Goodison's Prodigal Son when he re-signed for a second playing stint in 2017/18, but while there's been enough water under the bridge to fill the Mersey since his controversial move to Old Trafford, his blue-blooded Scouse brethren may have forgiven but they haven't forgotten. For his part, Moyes went from finishing 17th with just 39 points to steering Everton to their highest-ever Premier League position of fourth the following season in the second of his nine top eight placings with the club between 2002-13. Advertisement It's understood that Moyes 2.0 would like to build his new-look team around the three linchpins at the back of Jordan Pickford, James Tarkowski and Branthwaite. But having already lost the club's aforementioned most-gifted home-grown hero when he was just 18, cashing in on Branthwaite would not be the end of the world, so long as The Friedkin Group were able to get a proper valuation for a potentially generational talent among centre-backs. As reported by the ECHO on Monday, Tottenham Hotspur are Branthwaite's latest potential suitors but their owner Daniel Levy, the shrewd businessman who is understood to have tried to renege on an agreed price for Richarlison when he thrashed out a deal with Bill Kenwright over the table at swanky Mayfair seafood restaurant Scott's, is not known for over-paying. So, that could be bad news for Blues chiefs as well as Branthwaite himself, as Spurs were an absolute basket case this season. Yes, they could offer 'The Carlisle Kaiser' Champions League football next term courtesy of their back door entry after defeating fellow under-achievers Manchester United in the worst European final in living memory in Bilbao – a game that resembled two bald men fighting over a comb – but he's already experienced that on loan with PSV and as Everton's 75-cap England number one Pickford has shown, that's not the be-all and end-all for top players. Let's also not forget that the Blues now find themselves at a unique and exciting time in their history. As Branthwaite himself declared when answering questions from young supporters in March ahead of Junior Fan Day when asked about his ambitions to wear the armband: 'To be captain one day would be something I'd be thrilled to do. Obviously, I'm still young at the moment and there are more-experienced players than me in the team. Advertisement 'I think to play at Bramley-Moore as well, you can see how good the stadium is. So, to play there for Everton would be something I look forward to do as well.' Matt Jones There aren't many clubs in world football to whom the transfer foodchain doesn't apply. Everton are not one. Typically, I wouldn't be completely averse to a sale should the Blues get a fair price for Branthwaite, as good as he's been for the club. Everton will sadly always lose their best players and selling at the right time - and reinvesting - will be key to their progression. However, this summer might be one to dig their heels in over Branthwaite. Just because of the amount of change going on at the club already. Advertisement Moyes and the club's new-look recruitment team will have a huge job filling the gaps that are currently in the squad. Finding a replacement for Branthwaite would add another enormous task to an ever-growing list. An influx of cash would help Everton potentially fill a number of positions and give their PSR position a big boost given Branthwaite only arrived for £1 million. Plus, the player himself would no doubt be attracted by the potential of Champions League football. But a major restructuring of the team feels exciting when Everton have their strong defence to rely upon, of which Branthwaite was a significant part. Without him, the summer rebuild job would feel a lot more rife with jeopardy given the plethora of moving parts already in motion.
Metro
3 days ago
- Sport
- Metro
Chelsea have advantage over Man Utd in race to sign £70m Premier League star
Chelsea could rival Manchester United for a £70million-rated Premier League defender and hold a significant advantage in the transfer race. Enzo Maresca's first season at Stamford Bridge has been a success, securing the club's return to the Champions League and winning the Conference League. Chelsea could lift another trophy next month at the Club World Cup and have already won a key transfer battle, beating United to the £30m signing of Liam Delap from Ipswich Town. And after wrapping up that deal, the Blues could pip the Red Devils to the signing of another young England star, with the Daily Mail reporting that Maresca is weighing up a move for Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite. The centre-back enjoyed a breakout season in 2023/24 which culminated in him winning his first Three Lions cap, though he just missed out on a place in the Euro 2024 squad. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link so we can send you football news tailored to you. While Everton struggled in the first-half of last season, their form drastically improved following the return of David Moyes, with Branthwaite and James Tarkowski's partnership at the back key to the revival. United attempted to sign the 22-year-old last summer but saw two bids, the second worth £50m, rejected as the Toffees held firm to their £70m valuation. In the end, Erik ten Hag opted to buy Matthijs de Ligt instead, but United's interest in Branthwaite remains strong, with Ruben Amorim needing more centre-back depth after releasing Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans. The head coach is committed to his back-three formation and there are concerns over Lisandro Martinez's long-term fitness. However, signing Branthwaite will be no easy task as Moyes is reluctant to let the defender, who has two years left on his contract, go and would likely demand a huge fee. In April, David Moyes dismissed speculation that Everton were resigned to selling Jarrad Branthwaite in the summer. 'You have to remember Branthwaite has got a three-year contract – two years and a year's option so if anything Everton hold all the cards. 'But I also have to say over the journey over many years at Everton we had to sell players – from Wayne Rooney to Mikel Arteta to Joleon Lescott. It's part of being a football manager, especially at certain clubs on the journey when you have to sell to try and build as well. 'But Jarrad is not a player I would want to lose, that's for sure.' Moreover, the Mail's report adds that – same as last summer – the Everton star would only consider leaving Merseyside for a Champions League club and United are not in any European competition next season. More Trending But Chelsea are and therefore hold a huge advantage, with Maresca keen to add another centre-back to his squad. The Blues attempted to sign Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth but he has joined Real Madrid and also have interest in Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi. Because of the Club World Cup, the summer transfer window has temporarily opened early and will run from June 1 to June 10. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Arsenal and Man Utd boost in Viktor Gyokeres race as contenders withdraw MORE: David Beckham says 'one or two' Manchester United players are 'disrespecting' the club MORE: Mikel Arteta told Arsenal have already made huge transfer mistake
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Transfer news LIVE: Liverpool make ‘big' Wirtz offer, Chelsea eye Branthwaite, wonderkid Kostoulas EXCLUSIVE
IN AND OUT IN AND OUT Transfer news LIVE: Liverpool make 'big' Wirtz offer, Chelsea eye Branthwaite, wonderkid Kostoulas EXCLUSIVE THE thrills and spills of the summer transfer window are finally upon us with some huge deals in the pipeline! Liverpool are eyeing a move for Leverkusen midfielder Florian Wirtz, with the side set to offer over £100million to the former German champions for his services. In other news, Chelsea are looking to bolster in defence ahead of the Club World Cup, and are targeting Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite. Elsewhere, SunSport can exclusively reveal that Brighton are leading the race to sign Olympiacos wonderkid Babis Kostoulas. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Follow ALL the latest news, moves and completed deals with our live blog below...
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Chelsea ready to usurp Man Utd in transfer chase for Everton star
Chelsea are once again set for a busy summer in the transfer market after qualifying for the Champions League and it appears they are eyeing reinforcement to their backline Chelsea are weighing up a move to sign Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite this summer as Enzo Maresca looks to strengthen his squad ahead of a return to the Champions League. The 22-year-old has two years remaining on his contract and was the subject of interest from Manchester United last summer. The Red Devils saw two bids rejected, with their second reaching £50million but the Merseyside club were determined not to sell. And Toffees boss David Moyes remains reluctant, per Mail Online, with defender James Tarkowski still recovering from surgery on his hamstring. A move would potentially leave Everton short of cover in Moyes' backline, though Michael Keane and James O'Brien partnered in the centre of defence against Newcastle on the final day of the season. It has already been suggested United could be tempted to spend more than £50m on Branthwaite to secure his signature this summer but competition from Chelsea will only add to the difficulty of their question. A January move for the Carlisle-born star is said to have been discussed before the Red Devils opted to operate more frugally with the addition of Ayden Heaven in central defence. If United go head to head against the Blues in the coming weeks, they may come out on the wrong side of the equation however. Last summer, Branthwaite was unwilling to push for a move that did not include Champions League football. Ruben Amorim's side missed out on Europe altogether after falling to Tottenham in the Europa League final and finishing 15th in the Premier League following a dismal season. Chelsea's success on the final day of the season against Nottingham Forest ensured they have Europe's top competition to flaunt to potential signings in the coming weeks, handing the a key advantage over United. Enzo Maresca and Chelsea have already dealt United a transfer blow this summer after winning the race to sign Liam Delap from Ipswich. The forward is set to undergo a medical on Monday ahead of a move to Stamford Bridge after the Blues activated his £30m release clause. Again, Champions League football is said to have been pivotal in Delap's final decision, with a framework over personal terms already in place with United. But the 22-year-old ultimately opted for Stamford Bridge. Amorim, however, is optimistic that his team can find some benefit in not being in the Champions League next term. A lighter schedule will give the Portuguese coach more time to prepare his team. "I have to say that for us not to be in the Champions League could be an advantage to perform better, to prepare better for games, to build that core that we need for the future," he said. "So I think it's a good thing for us to take advantage not to have European games."
