Jarrad Branthwaite Everton Contract Decision: Will He Stay or Go?

Everton have endured a frustratingly underwhelming last few seasons in the Premier League, consistently finding themselves in the lower half of the table, battling to avoid the relegation zone. This instability has led to some of their top players questioning their futures in Merseyside. One of the most talked-about names is Jarrad Branthwaite, who has been attracting significant interest from Europe.

Branthwaite’s Rise at Everton

The 22-year-old initially joined Everton in the winter of 2020, followed by two loan spells—one with Blackburn Rovers in the Championship and another with PSV Eindhoven in the Eredivisie. During his time in Netherlands, he gained crucial first-team experience, making 36 appearances and proving himself as a dependable defender.

Since returning to Everton for the 2023/24 season, Branthwaite has emerged as a key player, showcasing his outstanding on and off-the-ball skills. His performances were instrumental in ensuring Everton avoided relegation last season.

Transfer Interest and Contract Situation

His rapid development has drawn high interest from multiple top clubs, not just this season but in the past as well. Manchester United previously had multiple bids rejected in the summer, and now Everton find themselves in a familiar situation as interest in their defensive gem intensifies again.

As Lyall Thomas reports:

“Jarrad Branthwaite would be open to discussing a new deal with Everton, but they face a fight to keep him with a string of Champions League clubs set to pursue the England CB this summer.”

With his contract still having two and a half years remaining, expiring in the summer of 2027, Everton hold a strong position. However, with clubs like Liverpool, Manchester City, Tottenham, and Real Madrid all monitoring him, Branthwaite may delay his decision until the transfer picture becomes clearer.

Could Branthwaite Sign a New Contract?

The English international‘s tenure at Everton can be analyzed in two aspects: individual performances and team stability.

As a club, Everton have experienced turbulence both on and off the pitch. Their recent takeover, coupled with managerial instability—having sacked Sean Dyche and Frank Lampard in recent years—has prevented them from establishing consistency.

However, things have started looking up with the appointment of David Moyes. Since his return, Everton have secured crucial wins against Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton & Hove Albion away from home, while also holding Manchester United and league leaders Liverpool to 2-2 draws.

Where Could Branthwaite Go?

Given the clubs interested, Everton will not let go of one of their most valuable assets easily. The previous Manchester United saga saw the club rejecting multiple bids due to high valuation demands.

The key decision for Branthwaite is whether he commits to a new deal. If he refuses to sign an extension, Everton will have more leverage in negotiations, potentially driving his price even higher in the summer.

Out of the interested clubs, Tottenham appears the least appealing regarding Champions League football, as their qualification for next season remains uncertain. This leaves the strongest competition between Liverpool, Manchester City, and Real Madrid.

However, Real Madrid have shown a preference for signing players on free transfers, as seen with Kylian Mbappe. Spending over €50-60 million on a defender may not align with their usual transfer strategy. This makes Liverpool and Man City the two most likely contenders for his signature.

Potential Destinations for Branthwaite

To summarize the top clubs in pursuit of Branthwaite, here’s a quick breakdown:

Premier League Table

Final Thoughts

The summer transfer window will be decisive for Branthwaite and Everton. Will he commit to a new deal, or will the allure of Champions League football prove too tempting?

Where do you think Branthwaite will end up? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!