Everton were hopeful of building on a strong partnership seen in the latter part of the 2024/25 season when James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite dominated Premier League strikers and achieved an impressive number of clean sheets for a mid-table side.
The Englishman's hopes of featuring this season have been delayed after a hamstring injury, first picked up before the opener at Leeds United, has now forced him to undergo surgery. The issue was originally dismissed as a “minor niggle” in July, but complications have since emerged, and that niggle looks set to keep him out until mid-November at the very least, although no timescale has been given by the club.
Whether Everton underestimated the problem, misdiagnosed it, or Branthwaite’s recovery simply stalled, the outcome is the same: surgery on a hamstring is rarely good news for the long term. Losing a yard of pace or never getting back to the same sharpness as before could minimize the potential.
Michael Keane’s resurgence has been a welcome boost for Everton as the club failed to recruit in this position in the summer. Once on the brink of a summer exit, the ex-Manchester United defender has seized his chance, delivering consistent performances at the back and even contributing going forward, making the loss of Jarrad Branthwaite bearable.
Now, Everton must decide whether to remain patient and reintegrate the England prospect once fit, or entertain any major offers that might come their way in the upcoming transfer windows.
The time could be right if the money is right
The answer to any lowball offer remains an absolute "No." Everton's position should be clear; they will only consider a sale if their previous valuation is met. If that offer comes in, then securing this figure is transformational, as that income doesn't just steady the books; it immediately unlocks a new tier of spending for the club.
It would allow the club to execute a targeted strategy: bringing in a premium replacement defender for upwards of £40 million with a proven injury-free track record and acquiring a high-quality reserve for slightly less, effectively upgrading two squad positions in a single window.
Perhaps the club needs to embrace the strategic imperative of selling at peak value. Everton won’t want to repeat the Yerry Mina scenario, where injury troubles ultimately undermined his value and prevented the club from generating a significant transfer fee for a quality international centre-back. Failing to sell now could mean watching a prized asset's market worth plummet due to unforeseen circumstances. No matter what they mean to the fans, everyone has their value.
The ultimate question is whether any club will meet Everton's price now that there’s a minor question mark following the surgery.
Both Chelsea and Manchester United had previously valued the player at around £40 million, while Everton demanded £60 million. With no acceptable offer received, Everton extended their star centre-back's contract for five years this summer, placing them in a position of total strength.
If the England international can return to form before the January transfer window, the big clubs are certain to come circling again. Chelsea is still in need of a centre-back, while a left-sided defender like him would slot perfectly into Manchester United's system. Furthermore, both Liverpool and Tottenham are rumored to have identified him as a long-term target and may be preparing to make their move in the summer or beyond.
Ultimately, seeing Branthwaite move to a rival like Chelsea or Manchester United is a risk Everton can now afford to take, having secured their footing this far into the season. The primary hurdle remains generating maximum value, a figure that the club's hierarchy and fans must see delivered before green-lighting the transfer.