The Daily Mail reports that Carlisle United are demanding £800,000 to part with Jarrad Branthwaite, a player the Scottish Sun claim has been scouted by both Rangers and Celtic in recent times.
17-year-old Branthwaite, who has made 14 appearances in all competitions for The Cumbrians this season, but is currently out with a thigh injury, is also subject to interest from established Premier League clubs.
The Daily Mail claims that Carlo Ancelotti’s Everton had a bid of £500,000 plus add-ons turned down last week and that an extra £300,000 is being demanded by the EFL League Two club.
Verdict
If Carlisle are indeed holding out for £800,000, it’s hard to see the Gers swooping in to land Branthwaite.
It looks as though the teenager has a bright future ahead of him, but a sum of that size would be tough to justify for a player who would surely have little prospect of playing time at Ibrox.
The Gers signed George Edmundson from League Two club Oldham Athletic in the summer, following his inclusion in the division’s 2018/19 team of the season, and since then, he’s seen less than 400 minutes of first-team action.
Given that Branthwaite is only just establishing himself in a league Edmundson starred in last season, it would seem that he’s one for the future, rather than a player who could oust any of Rangers’ four current senior centre-back options.
A Premier League side may be able to ship out close to £1 million on a project, but Rangers should be prioritising other areas in this window.
While you’re here, why not check out our January Transfer Window Preview over on our YouTube channel.
