It’s fair to say the route from Carlisle United to Bayern Munich is not one particularly well-travelled. Jarrad Branthwaite, however, could soon be carving out a rather unique career path for himself if reports are to be believed.
According to the Daily Mail (24 April), the Bundesliga champions are keeping tabs on the England U21 international. So are, among others, Manchester United, Ajax, Benfica and Jose Mourinho’s Roma; the summer transfer window now only a few weeks away.
Even Liverpool are throwing their hat – albeit very ambitiously – into the ring.
And while the chances of Everton letting Branthwaite become the first player since Abel Xavier 20 years ago to cross from the blue side of the Stanley Park to the red look decidedly slim, suggestions that Liverpool are even willing to express any sort of an interest in the 20-year-old centre-half only adds to the feeling that – as far as many recruitment departments are concerned – this is an opportunity not to be missed.
Euro giants now want one-time Rangers target Jarrad Branthwaite
This is not the first time Branthwaite has had a veritable hoarded of scouts watching his every move.
Back in 2019, the News and Star reported that Rangers, Celtic, Manchester City and Leicester were all pouring over a 17-year-old Branthwaite. He was, at the time, in action for Carlisle United in England’s fourth tier.
Everton eventually won the race, paying around £1 million for the teenager. And while Branthwaite has only made 10 Premier League appearances for the Toffees, a couple of stand-out loan spells – at Blackburn Rovers and PSV Eindhoven – could see Everton make a colossal profit on a man who’s versatility and ball-playing ability drew comparisons with a young Michael Carrick and Declan Rice.
“I think when all of those clubs are interested, you take notice,” admits Branthwaite; who saw a £15 million permanent bid from PSV turned down by Everton in January.
“But, for me, it’s just about playing the games. The first half of the season, I wasn’t playing as many as I wanted. But now I’m just fully focussed on doing that and performing the best I can.”
“We would like (him to stay),” insists PSV coach Ruud Van Nistelrooy. “He is a great talent. The boy is 20, but he has a future. He is good on the ball, can play on the left or the right of centre-back because he is two-footed. He has height and speed, so he is very complete.”
