Everton now taking steps to secure Jarrad Branthwaite future

Add as preferred source on Google

Jarrad Branthwaite has been a revelation for Everton this season.

Heading into this season there were high hopes for Jarrad Branthwaite at Everton, after the young defender impressed whilst on loan with PSV Eindhoven last season.

During his temporary stint with the Dutch outfit, Branthwaite made 36 appearances in all competitions and established himself as a key figure in the team. He has quickly done the same thing at Goodison Park this season, usurping Michael Keane in Sean Dyche’s preferred starting XI.

Branthwaite has now started each of Everton’s last four Premier League matches ahead of Keane and seems to be improving and growing in confidence with every passing week. The 21-year-old centre-back now needs to prove that he can remain consistent throughout a full season of football in the top flight of English football.

Plenty of figures in the game have high hopes for the £15,000-a-week player. England under-21 boss Lee Carsley has called Branthwaite a “high quality” player before.

Branthwaite has bags of potential, and regular football is what he needs now to continue making progress. Everton are a great club for the England under-21 international to hone his game at, and he will learn a lot playing under Dyche and alongside James Tarkowski.

Everton protecting investment in Branthwaite

The Merseyside outfit may soon find that they’re struggling to hold on to Branthwaite. As reported by the Daily Mail, Manchester United considered launching a move for the 6’5” youngster in the recent summer transfer window. If he continues to impress, it surely can’t be long before further potential suitors come sniffing around for Branthwaite. 

Everton are aware of this danger and are taking steps to protect themselves. According to The Athletic, the Toffees are currently in talks with the player over a new contract. His current deal doesn’t expire until 2025, and the club hold an option to extend that by one year, but they are aware that Branthwaite deserves fresh terms. 

A new deal would also put Everton in a strong position should any other club come in to try and sign the young starlet.