Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti is impressed by English defender Jarrad Branthwaite and would like to have him join forces with his international teammate Jude Bellingham at the Santiago Bernabeu. The Everton defender, meanwhile, has been a key player for David Moyes and any talks of the 22-year-old leaving Goodison Park would upset him.
Branthwaite joined the club from boyhood club Carlisle United in January 2020 and over the past couple of seasons have become one of their standout performers. During the 2022/23 season, he made a season-long loan move to Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven, making 37 appearances including 27 in the Eredivisie, three in the UEFA Europa League, and two in UEFA Champions League qualifiers.
Earlier, it was rumoured that Branthwaite is likely to attract transfer bids worth £40 million although Everton was willing to pay him £ 150,000 a week to remain with the club. In October 2023, the left-footed defender had signed a new deal with the Merseyside club which will expire in June 2027. The club had managed to convince him to agree to the new deal despite Manchester United being heavily interested in signing him.
Real Madrid are heavily linked to Trent Alexander-Arnold, another England international. The Liverpool right-back is rumoured to join the Spanish giants this summer. The camaraderie between Jude and Trent is said to have played a pivotal role in convincing the Liverpool academy product to make up his mind amidst the pressure to sign a new deal with the current Premier League dealers. The story could be the same with Branthwaite as well, Everton fans worry. It also needs to be noted that Ancelotti himself was at the helm of the club in the not-very-distant past.
The Friedkin Group’s takeover in December 2024 has improved Everton’s financial situation. They are not desperate for cash and could afford to keep their centre-back if he intends to stay. However, it is doubtful if the Englishman would say to the temptation to join Europe’s elite.
Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United are also interested in Jarrad Branthwaite and are tracking the developments closely, reports had earlier said.
