Who is Jarrad Branthwaite? Real Madrid and Man United want Everton starlet
Jarrad Branthwaite has emerged as one of the most exciting young centre-backs in Europe after establishing himself as an Everton regular this season. The 21-year-old had only made 13 appearances for the Goodison Park side heading into the 2023/24 campaign but he’s started 22 or their last 23 games - missing just the 2-0 win over Burnley through suspension.
Branthwaite has formed a formidable defensive partnership with James Tarkowski with Everton boasting a better defensive record in the league than Tottenham, Newcastle, Chelsea, Brighton and West Ham. The England Under-21 international has been touted for a senior call-up and his performances have attracted interest from leading Premier League clubs and some of the biggest clubs on the continent.
Who wants to sign Jarrad Branthwaite?
Real Madrid have dispatched scouts to watch Branthwaite this season and they’ve reportedly received glowing reports. The Spanish giants want to sign a new centre-back in the summer and Carlo Ancelotti handed Branthwaite his Everton debut - which provides a fascinating subplot. Manchester United and Tottenham have also been strongly linked. United will sign a new centre-back in the summer with the futures of Raphael Varane, Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans uncertain and Branthwaite represents a younger option. Tottenham are poised to sign Radu Dragusin but with Eric Dier expected to depart, Ange Postecoglou will be left with just three senior centre-backs and they could reignite their interest.
Branthwaite, however, is unlikely to depart Everton until the summer and his agent David Reeves has recently admitted that the defender wants to repay their faith in him. He said: “Everton were the ones who took a chance on Jarrad in signing him from Carlisle, and he is happy getting a run in the team and playing well. You can’t help but notice the way he is performing, but he’s a loyal, level-headed lad, and he’s enjoying this moment."
Market value increased by €22m across 2023
Branthwaite enjoyed a remarkable rise across 2023 as his successful loan spell at PSV helped him establish himself in Everton’s first-team. The young defender’s market value increased by €25 million across 2023, which represents the fourth biggest rise in Premier League centre-backs and the tenth across all centre-backs. Branthwaite is currently valued at €25m but Everton would require a transfer fee in excess of that to sanction his sale. Everton’s recent financial issues are well-documented and they were punished with a ten-point deduction this season for FFP breaches. Clubs will be eyeing a bargain deal for Branthwaite but it’s understood that Everton will stand firm and they will receive a massive profit on the €1.1m they paid Carlisle to sign him in 2023.
PSV loan spell made Branthwaite ‘complete’ defender
Branthwaite’s season with PSV in the Eredivisie was hugely beneficial to his development with boss Ruud van Nistelrooy singing his praises. The former Manchester United and Real Madrid striker stated: “He is a great talent. The boy is 20, but he has a future. He is good on the ball, can play on the left or the right of centre-back because he is two-footed. He has height and speed, so he is very complete.” Branthwaite possesses all the characteristics that are desired in a modern centre-back - strong, quick and comfortable in possession. Transfermarkt’s Dutch football expert admits PSV wanted to sign the Everton starlet on a permanent deal but they were rebuffed. “He was one of the more stable factors in PSV's defence last season,” he said. “He had some luck that Olivier Boscagli got injured when he just got there, but even with the return of the Frenchman, Branthwaite remained the first choice for the rest of the season. I believe they wanted to sign him permanently past summer, but didn't manage to.”
- Date of birth/Age:
- Jun 27, 2002 (21)
- Nat.:
- Current club:
- Everton FC
- Contract until:
- Jun 30, 2027
- Position:
- Centre-Back
- Market Value:
- €30.00m
- Date of birth/Age:
- Nov 19, 1992 (31)
- Nat.:
- Current club:
- Everton FC
- Contract until:
- Jun 30, 2026
- Position:
- Centre-Back
- Market Value:
- €13.00m
- Date of birth/Age:
- Apr 25, 1993 (31)
- Nat.:
- Current club:
- Manchester United
- Contract until:
- Jun 30, 2024
- Position:
- Centre-Back
- Market Value:
- €25.00m
- Date of birth/Age:
- Feb 3, 2002 (22)
- Nat.:
- Current club:
- Tottenham Hotspur
- Contract until:
- Jun 30, 2030
- Position:
- Centre-Back
- Market Value:
- €25.00m
- Date of birth/Age:
- Mar 5, 1993 (31)
- Nat.:
- Current club:
- Manchester United
- Contract until:
- Jun 30, 2025
- Position:
- Centre-Back
- Market Value:
- €20.00m
- Date of Birth/Age:
- 10.06.1959 (64)
- Nat.:
- Current club:
- Real Madrid
- Current Position:
- Manager
- Contract until:
- Jun 30, 2026
- In charge since:
- Jul 1, 2021
- Date of Birth/Age:
- 27.08.1965 (58)
- Nat.:
- Current club:
- Tottenham Hotspur
- Current Position:
- Manager
- Contract until:
- Jun 30, 2027
- In charge since:
- Jul 1, 2023
- Date of Birth/Age:
- 01.07.1976 (47)
- Nat.:
- Current club:
- Without Club
- Current Position:
- Manager
- Total Market Value:
- €345.40m
- Competition:
- Premier League
- Position:
- 15.
- Manager:
- Sean Dyche
- Squad size:
- 25
- Latest Transfer:
- Beto
- Total Market Value:
- €1.04bn
- Competition:
- LaLiga
- Position:
- 1.
- Manager:
- Carlo Ancelotti
- Squad size:
- 24
- Latest Transfer:
- Kepa Arrizabalaga
- Total Market Value:
- €734.25m
- Competition:
- Premier League
- Position:
- 6.
- Manager:
- Erik ten Hag
- Squad size:
- 27
- Latest Transfer:
- Willy Kambwala
- Total Market Value:
- €777.30m
- Competition:
- Premier League
- Position:
- 5.
- Manager:
- Ange Postecoglou
- Squad size:
- 26
- Latest Transfer:
- Radu Drăgușin
- Total Market Value:
- €318.63m
- Competition:
- Eredivisie
- Position:
- 1.
- Manager:
- Peter Bosz
- Squad size:
- 27
- Latest Transfer:
- Niek Schiks