Tottenham ‘sure they can get finances for Jarrad Branthwaite pursuit’
Tottenham Hotspur are apparently confident that they will have the means to pursue Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite this summer.
The former PSV Eindhoven loanee has emerged as one of the Premier League’s most sought-after centre-backs in 2024, owing to his outstanding performances and the Toffees’ catastrophic predicament.
Everton’s 6ft 5in defender has emerged as James Tarkowski’s first-choice center partner, and his performances have put the club in a strong position to avoid relegation following an unprecedented 10-point deduction for violating Profit and Sustainability guidelines.
Without their docking, Everton would be in 12th position in the standings, but Sean Dyche’s side is currently 18th, one point behind Luton Town after an extra game.
If Everton is relegated from the Premier League for the first time, they will almost certainly lose Branthwaite at the end of the season, as a number of European giants vie for his services.
Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Tottenham are all thought to have expressed an interest, and the Lilywhites are unlikely to compete financially with their two rivals.
Nonetheless, Football Insider reports that Spurs intend to have the funds available for expensive summer acquisitions, and club officials do not feel they will be short on cash no matter what happens between now and the end of the season.
The Lilywhites would receive a significant cash boost if they qualify for the Champions League, despite dropping out of the top four in the Premier League league following a 2-1 loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.
Fringe players such as Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Tanguy Ndombele, Giovani Lo Celso, Bryan Gil, Sergio Reguilon, Joe Rodon, and Japhet Tanganga may also be sold, while Ivan Perisic and Eric Dier will depart at the end of the season.
Branthwaite would arrive in North London to fight for starting positions at the back with Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero, and Radu Dragusin, but the first two have been indisputable starters under Postecoglou thus far.
As a result, Dragusin has only played eight minutes of Premier League football in three substitute appearances since his January transfer, and he has yet to come off the bench in their previous two games.
In contrast, Branthwaite has made 21 top-flight appearances for Everton in 2023-24, scoring his first and only goal in a 2-2 draw with the Lilywhites two weekends ago.
The 21-year-old has two goals in 40 matches for the Toffees and was part of England’s Under-21 European Championship-winning group last season.
Branthwaite extended his Everton contract until 2027 in October, but if the Toffees are relegated to the second division, they will most certainly be compelled to accept a reduced sum in the following transfer window.
