Everton clinched a well-deserved point in the dying embers of Wednesday night’s Merseyside derby. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
After failing in their pursuit last summer, it’s been expected that Manchester United will return for Jarrad Branthwaite at the end of the season.
Indeed, the Red Devils saw two offers worth £35 million and £45m (excluding add-ons) swiftly rebuffed by Everton last July due to it being nowhere near their valuation of the stalwart defender.
United were then made to pursue alternatives, eventually sealing deals for young prospect Leny Yoro – pipping the likes of Real Madrid and Liverpool to his signature in the process – and Matthijs de Ligt to bolster the centre-half department.
Yet, reinforcements are likely to be crucial again this year, first and foremost because both Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans will be departing Old Trafford as free agents in June. Additionally, Ruben Amorim is navigating a season-ending setback to Lisandro Martinez, who may just miss the beginning of 2025/2026 after undergoing surgery on an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Reds tipped to revive Branthwaite pursuit this summer
Alas, fans are perhaps anticipating that, the closer we get to the window re-opening, Branthwaite’s name will again be coming up in conversations regarding United’s targets.
He’s only continued to flourish this season, too, albeit enduring a delayed start to the campaign through a groin complaint. Against Liverpool, for example, he recorded some truly stellar stats in a fiery 90-minute shift to see out the last-ever Merseyside derby at Goodison Park.
Jarrad Branthwaite’s game by numbers vs. Liverpool:
100% aerial duels won
100% tackles won
60 total touches
16 clearances
7/11 long passes
10 passes into the final third
2 shots blocked
1 assist
0 x dribbled pastOutstanding. 🧱 pic.twitter.com/INx4sxfo61
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) February 12, 2025
Such top-drawer performances are only denting the Reds’ chances of signing him, though. GiveMeSport claims Everton are ‘increasingly confident’ of keeping hold of their ‘standout’ star, with the one-capped England international said to be ‘very happy’ with the team’s recent transition to life under David Moyes.
GMS adds: “The managerial change has significantly strengthened his current employers’ chances of retaining him beyond the end of the campaign.”
