Liverpool and Man Utd on red alert as top defender target makes transfer U-turn
Jarrad Branthwaite has been linked with a shock move from Everton to rivals Liverpool while Manchester United remain interested after they saw two bids rejected by the Toffees last summer
Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite is said to be considering his future, putting Liverpool and Manchester United on red alert. Branthwaite, 22, was the subject of two bids from United last summer, rising to £45million plus add-ons, both of which Everton flatly rejected.
Liverpool have also been linked with a stunning move for the centre-back in what would be a controversial transfer between the Merseyside rivals, who'll lock horns at Anfield next week. Spanish giants Real Madrid, where former Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti is in charge, and Premier League champions Manchester City have also been tipped to sign him.
Branthwaite was happy to stay put and his stock has continued to rise this season, particularly impressing under new manager David Moyes. But Branthwaite's recent form wasn't enough to earn a place in Thomas Tuchel's first England squad.
Instead, 32-year-old Newcastle defender Dan Burn was preferred. Branthwaite made his England debut in June 2024 but missed out on travelling to the European Championship when Gareth Southgate selected his final 26-man squad.
Injury prevented the ex-PSV Eindhoven loanee from building on his maiden cap in the autumn and Tuchel's snub is another setback. Back with the England under-21 squad this week, Sky Sports report that Branthwaite is now considering his future at Everton ahead of the summer transfer window.
It's said that United remain keen on the 22-year-old while Liverpool, City and Tottenham have tracked his performances this season. However, Branthwaite is under contract with Everton until 2026 and has indicated that he'd be open to signing an improved deal.
No formal negotiations have taken place, with the centre-back focussed on finishing the season strongly and helping his club bow out of Goodison Park on a high. The Toffees only have four matches left at their famous home ground before moving to their new £800million stadium on Bramley-Moore Dock next season.
Moyes appeared to disagree Tuchel's decision to snub Branthwaite, saying ahead of Everton's 1-1 draw with West Ham earlier this month: "I don't pick the England squad, so I can only say if you're looking at the last six or seven weeks Jarrad Branthwaite would be up there playing as well as any English centre-half in the country.
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"But the big thing he needs to do? Go and play for England under-21s and be the best player again, and then he gets selected again. That's the instructions I've been giving him - go and show what you can do for the 21s and Lee Carsley will pass good information back to the manager and hopefully it will get you back in.
"He doesn't need picking up because he's a young centre-half at the moment. You've got to learn your trade, keep improving, and I told him go and play really well for the under-21s and show Thomas he should have taken you into the squad."
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