Everton told they ‘can’t say no’ if offer comes in for one key star in January

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Everton, given their steadily improving form, are starting to be taken more seriously by their opponents now.

No longer are they a weak, confidence-shy group of individuals, but instead they have come together to form a gritty, hard-working unit that no team in the Premier League would relish facing.

Tottenham Hotspur were lucky to come away with a win in their own backyard against Sean Dyche’s men, but Chelsea, Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest and Burnley were not so fortunate.

They made up the four-match winning streak which has helped leapfrog Everton to a position of safety, with a number of key stars naturally imperative in that success.

However, as their stature increases, so too will the interest in their key man.

Jarrad Branthwaite is one such example, who has already been targeted by a number of Premier League sides given how well the 21-year-old has taken to the English top flight.

Well, former Toffees forward and beIN presenter Andy Gray has sought to give his verdict on the future of the £35k-per-week monster, replying to Richard Keys’ question: ‘Would you sell him?’

The Scotsman said (beIN Sports, 23/12/2023, 14:41 pm): ‘Reluctantly, yes. Reluctantly. I don’t think we’re in a position at Everton to turn down something like £85m, especially when we’ve got Ben Godfrey, Michael Keane, James Tarkowski – good alternatives.

‘It would be very difficult for Everton to turn down right now. I think they’d have to accept it if it’s something like £85m. You can’t say no to that.’

How important is Jarrad Branthwaite to Everton?

Given the £100m price tag reportedly slapped on the England U21 international, it is no surprise that his recent performances are going a long way towards justifying that valuation.

After all, he is exhibiting immense maturity at the elite level already, in a role where most players only reach their peak later on in their careers.

To already be so dominant and positionally intelligent makes for a frightening prospect, given that knowhow is wrapped in his 6 foot 4 lightning-quick frame.

His physical assets are faultless for a centre-back, and therefore it should come as no surprise to see journalist Lewis Steele had branded him a ‘brick wall’ earlier in the year.

Given he is averaging 1.7 interceptions, 2.1 tackles, 4.8 clearances and 7.1 ball recoveries per game in the league, that is another notion certainly justified too, via Sofascore.

Whilst selling him would certainly offer the financial refresh needed to kickstart the club back into action, his importance right now to Dyche is too high to deny.