Manchester United are amongst a host of clubs interested in Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite, who is currently on a season-long loan at PSV Eindhoven.
Jarrad Branthwaite, 20, joined Everton for just £1m from Carlisle United in 2020, but only managed 10 Premier League appearances before being loaned out. He joined PSV Eindhoven on a season-long loan before the start of the season, and after a rocky start to life in Holland, the defender has excelled under the tutelage of Ruud van Nistelrooy.
The England under-20 international has made 19 appearances in all competitions for Van Nistelrooy’s side. Branthwaite has impressed so much that PSV made two bids to sign him permanently last month. However, Everton rejected both offers, the second of which was believed to be worth around £15 million.
And it now seems that Everton will have to fight off further interest in Branthwaite, who scored a brace in PSV’s Dutch Cup quarter-final win over FC Emmen on Wednesday. Manchester United, Liverpool and AS Roma are reportedly planning to send scouts to watch the English youngster next week when PSV Eindhoven will be in action against Sevilla in the Europa League.
Man United keeping tabs on Jarrad Branthwaite’s progress
In Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez, Manchester United have a strong centre-back pairing which has played a key role in their rise to third in the Premier League table. Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof have acted as Varane and Martinez’s back-ups, but with the suggestions that Maguire could look for pastures new at the end of the season, Erik ten Hag and Man United’s interest in Branthwaite makes sense.
Being a left-footed defender, Branthwaite could be a young player in the squad to rotate with Martinez when required, whilst learning from the World Cup winner. In the wake of Martinez’s late return following his World Cup exploits with Argentina, Luke Shaw has played as a left centre-back and impressed, although Ten Hag may ideally want the England international to continue in his usual left-back position.
Thus, the Red Devils could make an attempt to land Branthwaite in the summer. The England under-20 international is a talented player and has steadily progressed since becoming a regular starter at PSV under former United striker—Ruud van Nistelrooy. However, he is still raw and has a lot to learn before becoming the full package.
It is unlikely Everton will sell Branthwaite straightaway in the summer after he returns from his loan spell with PSV expires, but the Merseyside club could find it difficult to hold onto the talented youngster if they suffer relegation. The 20-year-old’s contract at Goodison Park expires in 2025, meaning this summer transfer window could be their final opportunity to pick up a substantial fee if the likes of Man United, Liverpool and Roma come calling for his signature.
I am Rohan Sengupta from one of the busiest cities in India, Mumbai. A Journalism graduate with a keen interest in sports, football is something I simply cannot live without and writing, discussing and analyzing the game is what I do 24*7.
