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Sky Sports have confirmed their latest on Liverpool links with Jarrad Branthwaite ahead of the summer transfer window.

The Everton man has been linked on and off with Anfield since last summer, with Fabrizio Romano also commenting on the links towards the end of last year.

While the most concrete position targeted for the summer appears to be left-back, central defence will surely be a close second.

Joe Gomez has unfortunately suffered another injury-ridden campaign and could depart in the summer having come close last year.

The uncertain contract situations of Virgil van Dijk and potential interest in Ibrahima Konate from Real Madrid further necessitate contingency planning in central defense.

Although the club has secured Jarell Quansah’s future with a contract extension, Liverpool’s defensive recruitment will likely depend on whether they can retain their senior center-backs.

Still, the last senior cente-back bought by the club was indeed Konate back in 2021, and with Van Dijk now 33 it would be irresponsible for the club to not at least invest in a future prospect this time around.

Bournemouth’s Justin Kluivert has already claimed that teammate Dean Huijsen will not be a Cherries player next season amid Liverpool interest.

But now Sky Sports have come out to state that Jarrad Branthwaite is reassessing his future at Everton after being overlooked for Thomas Tuchel’s inaugural England squad.

The promising 22-year-old defender was notably absent from the national team selection for recent World Cup qualifying matches against Albania and Latvia.

The decision to include Newcastle’s 32-year-old defender Dan Burn for his first international call-up over Branthwaite has particularly stung the young center-back, who had previously earned a cap under former manager Gareth Southgate.

This exclusion has prompted Branthwaite to consider whether playing for a club competing at the upper echelons of the Premier League would enhance his international prospects.

Branthwaite’s disappointment was evident as he was relegated to England’s Under-21 squad, making a substitute appearance in their 5-3 defeat to France last Friday.

Meanwhile, Everton are bracing for renewed interest in their defensive stalwart when the transfer window opens.

The Toffees successfully rebuffed multiple approaches from Manchester United last summer but face mounting pressure to retain Branthwaite.

Furthermore, Sky Sports report of Liverpool interest once again, claiming:

“Liverpool, Manchester City and Spurs are among those to have tracked him this season, while the likes of Real Madrid are even said to have sent scouts to watch him, and United remain keen.”

“Branthwaite has just over two years left on his Everton deal with the club keen for him to extend further.”

“However, no formal negotiations have yet taken place with the new owners and they would face a difficult task competing with the financial muscle of those clubs considering moves for the defender at the end of the season.”

As the summer transfer window approaches, Branthwaite’s international ambitions could ultimately determine whether he remains at Everton or pursues opportunities with clubs offering greater visibility for England selection.

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