Everton reject bid from European side for defender who has impressed this season

Everton are focusing on incomings in the winter transfer window as they aim to maneuver themselves out of a relegation mess. Everton recalled a number of players from their loan spells too but Jarrad Branthwaite has stayed at PSV as he continues his development in the Netherlands.

The Toffees recalled the likes of Ellis Simms, Nathan Broadhead and Tyler Onyango. Initially, it was thought they were recalled to support the team and add depth but soon Broadhead was sold to Ipswich Town and Onyango left for Forest Green Rovers. In the defence, Everton loaned out Branthwaite and Niels Nkounkou in the summer as neither had an extended role in the team.

Nkounkou returned from Cardiff in January and was sent back immediately to Saint-Etienne. Branthwaite continues to impress on his loan spell in the Eredivisie. The 20 year old was signed from Carlisle United in January 2020 by then-director of football Marcel Brands. Brands spotted the talent of Branthwaite and didn’t waste any time in signing the young starlet.

The Englishman made 13 Everton appearances and was impressed on several occasions with his neat defending and passing skills. He headed on a loan spell in the second half of the 2020-21 season, joining Blackburn Rovers, where he had a steep learning curve. Brands left Everton in December 2021 and joined PSV as the director of football in 2022.

Everton reject bid from PSV for Jarrad Branthwaite

Since taking over as the director of football at PSV, Brands enquired about Branthwaite and signed him on a loan deal for the 2022-23 season. The 20 year old central defender has already made 13 appearances in the Eredivisie, starting eight games.

According to Daily Mail, PSV were pushing to sign Branthwaite on a permanent deal and they were ready to make a late push in the winter transfer window. In fact, Everton rejected a bid of an unspecified amount from PSV for Branthwaite.

Everton does not need to sell Branthwaite as he remains a player for the future. Currently, EFC do not have the space for the 20 year old as six centre backs are already present in the squad. Unless a big money offer arrives for the defender, the Toffees need not indulge in any transfer.

PSV seem unlikely to come back with a bigger bid as that doesn’t align with their transfer policy. The former Carlisle man should continue his development in the Netherlands and return to Finch Farm next season.

Should EFC sell Jarrad Branthwaite?