According to the Daily Mail, Liverpool are preparing a bid for Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite. The Premier League club want to sign the services of the youngster in the January transfer window and give no chance to other clubs.
Jarrad Branthwaite is shining in the Premier League
Jarrad Branthwaite signed for Everton in the winter window of 2020 from Carlisle United. He was then loaned out on a couple of occasions. However, the 2023-24 season turned out to be a breakthrough for him as he managed to establish himself finally.
Branthwaite started the season on the bench and grabbed the chances with both hands once provided. He featured in 43 games, netting thrice and assisting once. He averaged 1.9 tackles, 1.4 interceptions, and 4.5 clearances per game (stats via whoscored).
The English centre-back is an intelligent defender with an aggressive nature. He has strong physicality and due to his good height, he dominates the aerial field. The player is also comfortable with the ball and provides a high work rate.
Jarrad Branthwaite can be a long-term asset
Liverpool had a quiet summer window where they signed only two names in the form of goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili and winger Federico Chiesa. So the Reds are now planning to go big in the upcoming transfer windows.
The Reds are serious about signing Jarrad Branthwaite in the January window. The 22-year-old has already started hitting the ground in the Premier League and could enter into elite names. He can be a long-term investment for the club.
With Virgil Van Dijk already in his 30s, Liverpool need to replace him too. In that aspect, Branthwaite could be an ideal man. He has all the qualities and potential to succeed at Anfield.
Everton rate him at £70 million, which shouldn’t be an issue for Liverpool even though they might hesitate to pay that much. Moreover, it would be tough cracking a deal in the January window as no club would want to lose their hot property in the midseason.
