Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite has suffered a setback in his return from injury.
Jarrad Branthwaite will undergo surgery this week after a complication in his recovery from a hamstring issue.
Part of a club statement read: “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, Everton are expected to dip into the January transfer window to reinforce their defensive ranks.
Here are three centre-backs David Moyes should consider signing.
Southampton centre-back Taylor Harwood-Bellis.
Photo by Matt Watson/Southampton FC via Getty Images
Taylor Harwood-Bellis (Southampton)
Earlier this year, Moyes made it clear that the Championship is a division he will be looking to recruit from.
“I always believe your own academy or the Championship, in the main, hopefully come from there. I know we’re in a world where we can pick players from any continent to play in the Premier League.
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“A long time ago, it wasn’t as easy and maybe people didn’t look as far. We continue to look closer to home, which is the Championship.”
So, naturally, perhaps the best centre-back in the league, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, is someone they could have a look at this winter.
The Southampton defender has been capped by England and actually scored on his debut against the Republic of Ireland.
Charlie Cresswell (Toulouse)
Everton News exclusively revealed that Moyes is keeping tabs on Charlie Cresswell ahead of the January window.
The Toulouse defender, who won the under-21 European Championships with England in the summer, is exceptional in the air and proficient on the ball.
Cresswell is a real threat from set-pieces, as he ranks in the top one per cent in Europe for non-penalty goals per 90 compared to his positional peers, as per FBref.
So he’d be a really solid option for Moyes and could be available for a reasonable £18m.
Maxime Esteve (Burnley)
Interestingly, Everton were targeting Maxime Esteve as a potential replacement for Branthwaite if he left in the summer.
Branthwaite signed a new deal which saw Moyes and his chiefs cool their interest in Esteve, but they could reconsider the Burnley centre-back this winter.
The French youth international is left-footed and of a similar profile to Branthwaite, so he would perhaps be the best option out of all three of the aforementioned players.
Although, Esteve would cost in excess of £30m, which may be a little too pricey for the Toffees mid-season.