Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite is attracting interest from Roma this summer with the Blues valuing him at £20m but selling him for that price could prove a horrible mistake.
The 20-year-old centre-back enjoyed a sensational spell while on loan at PSV Eindhoven this season, learning his trade under the tutelage of Manchester United legend Ruud Van Nistelrooy in the Dutch Eredivisie, making 36 appearances in all competitions, scoring four goals.
According to ED (26 May), PSV want the 20-year-old central defender permanently after an impressive loan spell, but aren’t the only ones in the frame for his signature.
The Daily Mail revealed on 12 June that beaten European finalists Roma have also joined the hunt for the young sensation as they eye up a replacement for the departing Roger Ibanez.
Manager Sean Dyche has a decision to make on Branthwaite’s future according to the report, but should he depart Goodison Park, the Toffees now value him at close to £20m.
Everton’s desire for cash in the midst of such financial uncertainty is evidently clear with the Toffees potentially being forced to sell the likes of Amadou Onana and Jordan Pickford to keep the club afloat after major funding for their new Bramley-Moore Dock stadium development.
It is believed that Everton may still be forced to sell their key stars, even despite the impending MSP Sports Capital 25% takeover but demanding £30m for Jordan Pickford and £20m for Branthwaite could well see the club face future backlash from fans given their importance to Dyche’s Goodison revolution and burgeoning potential respectively.
Branthwaite, especially, has proven an absolute revelation during his loan spell at PSV Eindhoven with the 20-year-old loanee proving in Holland why he is amongst one of the most exciting young centre-backs on the continent but more crucially proven why he is finally ready for a first-team chance at Everton.
And Branthwaite received glowing praise from his now former boss van Nistelrooy, with the Manchester United legend recently describing him as a “complete” player, and for that reason alone, Everton will be mightily silly to let him go especially at £20m.
That could well prove a costly error given the going rate for young defensive talents in the current market. Everton must not allow their financial desperation to cloud their judgement on such crucial and key stars.
The 20-year-old sensation remains the future of Everton football club, and if Dyche harbours any ambition to completely revitalise his flailing squad this summer, keeping a player of Branthwaite’s profile, considering his homegrown status, makes him an automatic must-keep at the club – and he could well form a stunning partnership with James Tarkowski in the long run, should Everton fail to sign a centre-back this summer.
Such all-around quality has been evident throughout the campaign in the Dutch Eredivisie as Branthwaite has impressively registered four goals and provided one assist from 29 games in all competitions showcasing his elusive attacking threat, while also proving his defensive qualities, averaging 0.9 tackles and 1.4 interceptions per game, winning 57% of his aerial duels and 56% of his total duels and also helping the club to seven clean sheets, from his 27 league outings, as per SofaScore.
If the Toffees know what is good for them and their own future, they will provide Branthwaite with the tools he needs to become a future success at Goodison Park. Selling him this summer could prove costly in the long-term, especially for a lowball price of £20m.