Liverpool’s hunt for a new centre-back has hit a couple of stumbling blocks so far.
Ibrahima Konate’s future is still up in the air, and Jarell Quansah has also been sold to Bayer Leverkusen, leaving the Reds somewhat light at the back.
Several players, such as Castello Lukeba and Giovanni Leoni, have been linked with an Anfield switch over the last few weeks, but at the moment, nothing has come to fruition.
Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite.
Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
However, this could all be for good reason as Jarrad Branthwaite’s new release clause has just been revealed.
Jarrad Branthwaite will be available for £70m next summer
Everton managed to keep hold of Branthwaite last season despite interest from across the globe being shown in the Englishman.
Liverpool were one of the many teams linked with an interest in the centre-back, but nothing ever came to fruition.
However, as per a new report from the Daily Mail, it seems like a move could be on the cards next summer.
That’s because there’s now an ‘exit clause’ in the centre-back’s contract worth ‘more than £70m.’
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However, it can only be triggered from next summer.
Jarrad Branthwaite would be an exceptional signing for Liverpool
A couple of seasons ago, Branthwaite was regarded as one of the best young centre-backs in the Premier League with Alan Shearer even dubbing the defender as ‘magnificent.’
He set the top flight alight and formed an impressive partnership with James Tarkowski, and although his performances in the 2024-25 campaign weren’t as strong as they were a season or two ago, he’s still a more than solid option.
Branthwaite is still only 23 years old, but with the amount of Premier League experience he has under his belt, he’d be a solid option.
At the moment, it’s anyone’s guess what could happen, but if Slot doesn’t get his centre-back this summer, it might be all part of a bigger plan.