Sport nationDuring a recent talkSPORT broadcast, Jeff Stelling issued a bold statement regarding Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite that has stirred up considerable discussion. Stelling, with a prelude of “Everton fans leave the room,” ventured into a prediction that might not sit well with the Everton faithful. He suggested that due to Everton’s financial needs, their most marketable player, 21-year-old Branthwaite, could be on his way out, with Manchester United being the likely destination.
Stelling elaborated, “It’s going to happen, Everton need the money and their biggest asset, their most sellable asset, is 21-year-old Jarrad Branthwaite. I think he will find himself at Old Trafford. Never mind Man City, it’ll be Old Trafford I imagine because with the likes of Evans and Varane and Lindelof and Maguire, all ageing players, they need to bring in some youth and I’m thinking £45 million, something like that, would do the job.”
Ally McCoist, present during the discussion, did not directly endorse Stelling’s transfer speculation but did commend Branthwaite’s abilities, stating, “I think he could play at any level, anywhere. He is heading completely in the right direction.”
The conversation also touched upon Everton’s financial predicament and the club’s efforts towards achieving sustainability. Kevin Thelwell, Everton’s Director of Football, has been instrumental in reducing the wage bill and managing high-profile player sales. This strategic financial management could position Everton more favorably this summer, especially if they retain their Premier League status.
Given Branthwaite’s significant contribution to Everton’s defense, alongside James Tarkowski, the duo has been pivotal in establishing one of the league’s top defensive records. The article posits that unless a sale is imperative for the club’s financial health, Everton should strive to retain Branthwaite for at least another season to continue their defensive solidity.
Citations:
[1] https://www.newsnow.com/us/?lang=a&search=Everton
[2] https://metro.co.uk/2024/03/11/man-utd-identify-jarrad-branthwaite-top-centre-back-transfer-target-20442499/
[3] https://trainingground.guru/articles/kevin-thelwell-building-something-to-believe-in-at-everton
[4] https://www.evertonfc.com/news/3907476/branthwaites-biggest-lesson-of-breakthrough-season
[5] https://theathletic.com/5332677/2024/03/13/everton-thelwell-recruitment-scouting-academy/
[6] https://theanalyst.com/eu/2024/03/monster-jarrad-branthwaite-destined-for-top/
[7] https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/kevin-thelwell-issues-everton-squad-28600950
[8] https://www.evertonfc.com/news/3777179/encouraged-thelwell-outlines-long-term-everton-plan
[9] https://www.everton.news/news/
[10] https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/man-utd-plot-jarrad-branthwaite-32325883
[11] https://thepeoplesperson.com/2024/03/26/its-going-to-happen-jeff-stelling-says-jarrad-branthwaite-will-choose-man-united-over-man-city-278011/
[12] https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/man-utd-record-equalling-transfer-fee-jarrad-branthwaite-asking-price-everton-england-defender/bltbe72282a208c87c0
[13] https://www.goodisonnews.com/2024/03/25/everton-ally-mccoist-and-jeff-stelling-agree-on-jarrad-branthwaite-as-england-prediction-made/
[14] https://www.tntsports.co.uk/football/transfers/2023-2024/man-utd-want-75m-everton-defender-in-summer-reshuffle-as-dortmund-eye-mason-greenwood-over-jadon-san_sto10058634/story.shtml
[15] http://atomicsoda.com/man-utd/news/all-sources/26-mar-2024
[16] https://www.goodisonnews.com/2024/03/17/everton-70m-jarrad-branthwaite-sale-mooted-as-manchester-united-transfer-prediction-made/
[17] https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/man-city-transfer-everton-england-32429088
[18] https://www.teamtalk.com/manchester-united/how-jarrad-branthwaite-compares-lisandro-martinez-man-utd
[19] https://metro.co.uk/2024/03/25/man-utd-set-sign-jarrad-branthwaite-this-summer-says-jeff-stelling-20526106/
[20] https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/man-utd-jarrad-branthwaite-transfer-32298096
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