Manchester City target Jarrad Branthwaite has reportedly been given a £100 million price tag by Everton ahead of the January transfer window.
Branthwaite is reported to be a player City admire, and it was recently claimed the Toffees would be seeking around £75 million in any sale.
But Everton have seemingly now bumped up the youngster’s asking price, with the winter transfer window about to open.
It is a move that is surely going to make any move very difficult now for Pep Guardiola…
Manchester City must pay £100m to sign Jarrad Branthwaite from Everton
According to i News, Everton are looking to bank at least nine figures for 21-year-old central defender Branthwaite, who has really caught the eye this season at Goodison Park.
Branthwaite came into Everton’s starting XI in the third game of the season against Wolves and has played every single Premier League game he’s been available for since. He missed out against Burnley due to being suspended.
The star, recently hailed as ‘exceptional’ by Micah Richards, has been a big part of Everton’s good form recently, helping them keep three of four clean sheets.
Everton are determined to keep hold of their young talent and have now set a whopping £100 million price tag. It is stated by i News that Branthwaite is currently happy at Goodison Park. Everton have come to such a figure because of the player’s age, ability, potential, status as a left-sided defender and chances of becoming an England international.
Interestingly, it is also mentioned that when Everton signed Branthwaite from Carlisle United, a 10% sell-on clause was inserted, which the Toffees are clearly factoring into their asking price.
Branthwaite going nowhere in January
This asking price, if true, shows that Everton are not looking to sell Branthwaite next month. It is clearly a deterrent, with Branthwaite having shown himself to be a key player for the Toffees this season under Sean Dyche.
Everton have been in great form recently after being hit with their 10-point deduction, and they will want to keep climbing the table.
Key to that will be to remain solid defensively, and they won’t do that if they sell Branthwaite.
City’s interest in the player – who’s been compared to John Stones – likely will not amount to anything next month, but he is absolutely a player the club should be keeping an eye on ahead of next summer.
We have seen this season that City have been a lot weaker defensively, having shipped 29 goals across all competitions so far.
