For so long now it seems Everton have been at the mercy of the bigger clubs, preying on the immense talent the Toffees find an nurture only to swoop in and steal the plaudits.
Manchester United were so often the beneficiaries, with Wayne Rooney their outstanding transaction. However, more recently it has been their noisy neighbours to enjoy similar success, prying John Stones from Goodison Park before turning him into one of the world’s best in his role.
However, just three years ago few would have predicted the same would be happening at the hands of Newcastle United.
Their newfound Saudi Arabian fortune has turned them into a minor superpower of late, with the feel-good factor their arrival brought having now propelled them into the Champions League.
As such, they saw fit to take Anthony Gordon from his boyhood club last January, parting with £45m to get their man.
Whilst it is tough to see him impress now, the Merseyside outfit will likely chalk that down to good business given he never truly stood out in Royal Blue.
However, to lose Jarrad Branthwaite to the Magpies too would be a hammer blow, which is what Football Transfers are reporting.
They suggest that Eddie Howe has ‘targeted’ the 21-year-old as a long-term successor to Fabian Schar, with the former AFC Bournemouth boss ‘keen to rush’ the deal given mounting interest.
How good is Jarrad Branthwaite?
With Gordon left having scored just three Premier League goals in one-half of the season, he was hardly missed even though their safety would go down to the wire.
However, things would be so painfully different with Branthwaite, given the rate at which he has grown into one of Sean Dyche’s most indispensable players.
His partnership with James Tarkowski is providing the foundation for the fine run of form they are currently enjoying, with praise for the youngster coming from all angles.
The figures back up the adulation he is enjoying too, recording 2.1 tackles, 5.1 clearances and 7.5 ball recoveries per game in the league, via Sofascore.
And yet, he blends such solidity with a quality on the ball that has drawn interest from some of the division’s top sides.
Tying him down to a new contract back in October was imperative in ensuring they are not left short-changed should he depart, but surely selling to the Tyneside outfit again, of whom have sprouted a strange rivalry with Everton of late, should be unthinkable.
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