According to reports, Real Madrid has joined Manchester United in their pursuit of Jarrad Branthwaite, the center back for Everton.
The 22-year-old, who has been a target for the Red Devils for more than a year, was among the most impressive players at Goodison Park during Saturday’s 2-2 draw between Everton and Manchester United.
However, Everton swiftly rejected both of their summer bids, which were reportedly around £40 million, as they felt they were significantly below their assessment of the young defender.
However, interest is expected to follow this summer as Branthwaite continues to improve in a revitalized Everton team led by David Moyes.
Even though Everton finished in 15th place last season, Branthwaite was a member of the defense that finished fourth in the Premier League in terms of the fewest goals allowed; only four teams have allowed fewer goals this year.
Real Madrid is reportedly planning to move for Branthwaite in the summer, and according to the Spanish publication AS, they will have to pay €75 million (£62 million) to sign him. These figures have not gone unnoticed.
During his tenure at Goodison Park, Los Blancos manager Carlo Ancelotti briefly managed Branthwaite when he was eighteen. Since then, the player has advanced significantly after loan stints at PSV Eindhoven and Blackburn Rovers.
This was demonstrated by the fact that, despite missing the final squad, he received his first England cap just before Euro 2024.
After recovering from a few injury setbacks at the beginning of the season, Branthwaite has played in Everton’s last 16 league games, giving up just 16 goals.
Before Thomas Tuchel names his first England team in March, Branthwaite will undoubtedly be on his mind, and increased international recognition could spark more interest.
Real Madrid’s injury problems on defense line
Given their current injury situation, Real Madrid may need defensive reinforcements more than any other elite club in Europe.
Eder Militao and Dani Carvajal will miss the remainder of the season, but David Alaba has returned at the beginning of this year after a difficult year-and-a-half on the sidelines.
Additionally, young Raul Asencio has been thrown into the starting lineup out of the blue this season due to Antonio Rudiger’s recent few weeks in the treatment room.
Since no one was brought in to replace the versatile Nacho, who left in the summer, Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni have also had to spend significant portions of the season playing in Real Madrid’s back four.
Although Branthwaite has demonstrated throughout his career that he can play in a variety of positions across the backline, Real Madrid’s biggest need is in his preferred position in the center of defense, so the club would be well advised to investigate him when the transfer window reopens.