David Moyes has dismissed reports that Everton are resigned to selling Jarrad Branthwaite this summer, amid interest from Manchester United and Tottenham.
Branthwaite enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2023/24 which culminated with him winning his first and so far only England cap under Gareth Southgate.
The centre-back also became a top target for United, who saw two bids – the latter worth £50million after add-ons – rejected last summer, before Erik ten Hag instead signed Matthijs de Ligt and Leny Yoro.
Though not as impressive as the last campaign, Branthwaite has performed well this season, with his partnership with James Tarkowski key to Moyes’ side avoiding relegation.
The Sun report that the Red Devils remain keen on the 22-year-old, with Ruben Amorim needing to bolster his defensive options, while Tottenham are also interested amid rumours Cristian Romero will leave.
Get personalised updates on Manchester United every day
Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro’s Football Newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link so we can send you football news tailored to you.
The report adds that an unknown Premier League club tried and failed to sign Branthwaite on January deadline day and that Everton’s hierarchy have already accepted that the defender will depart Merseyside in the summer.
That is not an opinion shared by Moyes however, who has hinted that while his star player could be sold, it would have to be for a huge fee.
‘You have to remember Jarrad Branthwaite has got a three-year contract – two years and a year’s option so if anything Everton hold all the cards,’ the Toffees boss said ahead of the trip to Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
‘But I also have to say over the journey over many years at Everton we had to sell players – from Wayne Rooney to Mikel Arteta to Joleon Lescott. It’s part of being a football manager, especially at certain clubs on the journey when you have to sell to try and build as well.
‘But Jarrad is not a player I would want to lose, that’s for sure.’
Everton’s form has drastically turned around since Moyes returned the club in January, losing just two of 12 Premier League games, but the Scot has a lot of work to do in the summer.
Including loanees, the Toffees have 15 players out of contract at the end of the season, which would leave the club with just 11 senior players.
‘We’ve started to look forward. First and foremost, the job is to make sure we’re a Premier League club,’ Moyes said of his transfer plans.
More Trending
‘If we weren’t, then obviously things would be completely different but I believe now that we’ve probably got enough points to be a Premier League club. Mathematically, that isn’t completely correct but we are starting to plan, starting to look forward.
‘We’ll talk about the players’ contracts probably when we are mathematically safe because then at least we can start to understand exactly what the finances will look like.
‘So hopefully in a week or two’s time we’ll be able to start looking at players’ contracts and what we’re going to do.’
One player that Moyes would reportedly like to sign is Scottish wonderkid Ben Doak, only he’d have to cross the divide between Liverpool and Everton.
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
MORE: Enzo Maresca responds to Liam Delap transfer links after Chelsea discover release clause
MORE: Vitalii Mykolenko injury update ahead of Nottingham Forest vs Everton
MORE: Newcastle vs Man Utd: Latest team news, predicted lineup and injuries
