Everton have confirmed that Jarrad Branthwaite has suffered a setback in his recovery from a hamstring injury.
Everton released a statement on Monday afternoon which confirmed that Jarrad Branthwaite will have to undergo surgery to address his hamstring injury.
“Everton Football Club can confirm Jarrad Branthwaite has experienced a complication in his recovery from a hamstring injury.
“Following specialist consultation, it has been determined the defender will undergo a surgical procedure tomorrow to address the issue.
“Branthwaite will commence a structured rehabilitation programme under the supervision of the Club’s medical team following the operation.”
With that said, David Moyes will no doubt be keen to sign another centre-back when the January transfer window opens.
One of their rumoured targets could now become a serious priority.
Toulouse centre-back Charlie Cresswell.
Photo by Sylvain Dionisio ATPImages/Getty Images
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Everton’s move for Charlie Cresswell could now intensify
Everton News exclusively revealed last week that David Moyes was keeping close tabs on Charlie Cresswell.
Cresswell, who won the European Championships with England’s under-21s in the summer, is widely regarded as one of the most promising centre-backs in France.
The ‘excellent‘ 23-year-old was linked with a move to West Ham United and Borussia Dortmund in the summer transfer window.
After Branthwaite’s injury setback, Moyes could make Cresswell his priority target when the January window opens.
At the moment, the Toffees are very short in that area, with just Michael Keane, James Tarkowski and Jake O’Brien, who is needed at right-back.
Toulouse want £18m for Charlie Cresswell
It’s been reported that Toulouse are demanding around £18m to sanction the sale of Cresswell, with his former club Leeds United due 15 per cent of that.
Toulouse’s sporting director Viktor Bezhani told L’Equipe in the summer: “It isn’t a secret, if a good offer arrives, we’ll have a look at it.”
Clearly, the Ligue 1 outfit recognise that Cresswell is likely to leave and that will make any forthcoming negotiations with Everton a lot easier.
Toulouse aren’t one of the bigger clubs in France, so the Toffees may be able to negotiate a pretty reasonable fee for the young defender – which isn’t easy to do in this climate.