Everton are relaxed despite claims that bitter rivals Liverpool are plotting a sensational January transfer move for star defender Jarrad Branthwaite.
Branthwaite, 22, was the subject of two offers from Manchester United during the summer transfer window, both of which were rejected by Everton. Their second bid, made in early July, was worth a total of £50million, well below the Toffees' valuation.
Later in the transfer window, however, bookmakers slashed the odds for Branthwaite to make a controversial switch to Liverpool, prompting speculation which even puzzled Everton insiders and people connected to the player's camp. Ultimately, Branthwaite stayed put but picked up an injury late in pre-season which ruled him out of Everton's first seven games in all competitions.
The talented centre-back returned to action on Saturday to help Sean Dyche's team earn a much-needed 2-1 win against Crystal Palace, reinforcing his importance at Goodison Park. His future has also come back into the spotlight, as it was reported on Tuesday that Liverpool are planning to steal a march on United and go for Branthwaite in January.
That's because United are unlikely to make another move for the 22-year-old until next summer, whereas Liverpool would hope to secure a deal earlier in 2025. However, the ECHO report that Everton aren't fearful that their neighbours will come knocking in the New Year.
It's added that when odds were slashed in August, there'd been with zero contact between Everton and Liverpool regarding Branthwaite's services. Goodison Park chiefs believe that they're operating from a position of strength, with the England international under contract until 2027 and attempts being made to hand him an improved deal ahead of Everton moving into their new stadium.
And in more encouraging news for Toffees supporters, last week saw a takeover deal for the Friedkin Group to obtain owner Farhad Moshiri's entire 94.1 per cent stake in the club confirmed. Everton's need for cash would therefore be eased, especially having sold Amadou Onana to Aston Villa for £50m in July.
Branthwaite would cost even more, as the Toffees believe that any sale would need to be in the same bracket as the £80m United paid to sign Harry Maguire in 2019, the £75m Chelsea spent on Wesley Fofana in 2022 and the £77m Manchester City coughed up for Josko Gvardiol last year.
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