Tottenham ‘will be there’ in Jarrad Branthwaite bidding war.
Tottenham Hotspur are one of the frontrunners to sign Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite during the summer transfer window.
Tottenham Hotspur are ready to participate in a summer ‘bidding war’ for Jarrad Branthwaite, but journalist Ben Jacobs has told GIVEMESPORT why Manchester United could end manager Ange Postecoglou’s chances of enticing the Everton star to Hotspur Way.
Spurs are already preparing to welcome Swedish teenager Lucas Bergvall to north London at the end of the season, having signed him for £8.5 million from Djurgardens after the winter transfer window closed on February 1, but chairman Daniel Levy is willing to spend more money to bring in additional reinforcements for the 2024/25 season.
Postecoglou, who signed a four-year contract with Tottenham after leaving reigning Scottish Premiership champions Celtic last summer, has wasted no time in preparing for the summer, and he has identified Branthwaite as a target as he attempts to take the capital side to the next level.
Spurs are among the frontrunners to sign Branthwaite this summer.
According to MailOnline, Tottenham and Manchester United are leading the race to sign Branthwaite because they are working harder than other suitors to reach an agreement, and the magnitude of any prospective offer will be determined by Everton’s ability to keep their Premier League position.
According to the report, Chelsea, Arsenal, and Real Madrid have also expressed interest in the central defender, who has been described as ‘complete’ by former PSV Eindhoven manager Ruud van Nistelrooy following a productive loan spell with the Dutch club, but Spurs and the Red Devils are making the most concerted effort to lure him away from Goodison Park.
Although Postecoglou spent £26.7 million on Radu Dragusin last month to bolster his options at the heart of Tottenham’s backline after the Romania international turned down the opportunity to join reigning Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich as he plotted his exit from Genoa, statistics show that Branthwaite has had a better season.
Tottenham and Manchester United expressed interest before the winter transfer window opened at the turn of the year, but Everton slapped a £100 million price tag on Branthwaite because they did not want to jeopardise their attempts to avoid relegation by cashing in midway through the season.
That ended Spurs’ hopes of signing the England under-21 international in early 2024, but respected journalist Paul Brown recently told GIVEMESPORT that the Toffees are in an unsustainable financial position due to uncertainty over the club’s future ownership, giving his fans renewed hope of a summer deal.
Everton will want a high sum for Branthwaite, who committed his long-term future to his current employers in October by signing a £35,000-per-week contract with over three-and-a-half years to run, but Tottenham are still monitoring his situation.
Ben Jacobs – Tottenham will be in the running to sign Branthwaite.
Although Jacobs believes Tottenham will be among the bidders vying for Branthwaite’s services, he also understands that La Liga powers Real Madrid are exploring a move in the coming months.
The reputable reporter believes Manchester United will also offer Postecoglou stiff competition for the 21-year-old’s signature, having seen him appear in only three Premier League games this season as they look to meet their homegrown quota, and he has been identified as a perfect option for manager Erik ten Hag due to his left-sided centre-back position.
“I believe that there will be a bidding war in many ways over the summer. I believe Tottenham will be there, and Real Madrid has looked in the past.
“It is true that Manchester United is considering signing at least one young centre-back. Homegrown players are also a significant focus, so Branthwaite fits the bill nicely, especially as a left-sided centre-back.”
Postecoglou prepares to pounce on Gallagher
According to the Telegraph, Tottenham Hotspur are prepared to make a move for Conor Gallagher if Chelsea are unable to lock him down to a new deal before the transfer window reopens in the summer, having already expressed interest in him in early 2024.
According to the source, the central midfielder has been in talks with his boyhood club about extending his stay at Stamford Bridge, having entered the final 18 months of his £50,000-per-week contract at the turn of the year, but there has been no major progress.
Sky Sports writer Michael Bridge recently told GIVEMESPORT that Postecoglou admires Gallagher, and Tottenham’s pursuit has been bolstered by Chelsea’s willingness to entertain bids in order to avoid falling foul of the Premier League’s profit and sustainability criteria.
The north Londoners were unwilling to meet the Blues’ £50 million demands for the England international in the final hours of the winter transfer window, so he remained among former Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino’s options, despite co-owner Todd Boehly’s willingness to sanction his mid-season departure.
Although Tottenham considered testing Chelsea’s determination with a bid before the deadline, it became evident that a deal would be impossible to complete due to Gallagher’s desire to stay in west London after rising through the club’s levels.
