Everton are eyeing a move for a £20 million new defender to replace Jarrad Branthwaite if he leaves the club this summer, according to a new report.
Jarrad Branthwaite latest as Man Utd eye £50m move for Everton star
Branthwaite has been one of Everton's key players since breaking into the team in the 2023/24 season, forming a formidable partnership with James Tarkowski in the heart of the Toffees' defence.
Tall, strong, great in the air, and comfortable with the ball at his feet, the young Englishman has attracted plenty of suitors thanks to his stellar performances at Goodison Park.
Among those are Manchester United, who are set to go "all out" to try and land him in a £50m deal after seeing two bids rejected last year.
jarrad branthwaite
While he has previously said he one day wanted to be Everton's captain, in a recent interview with BBC Sport, Branthwaite dropped a worrying hint that he could in the future be looking to move on to a club which has a better chance at winning silverware.
"It is about winning as many trophies as possible throughout your career," said the 22-year-old, who surprisingly wasn't picked in Thomas Tuchel's first-ever England squad. "A career is short so you need to make the most of it and give yourself the best possible chance to pick up trophies."
"To be fighting for trophies is something that would be one of the main ambitions for every player and come the end of the career, have as many trophies as possible."
Everton make £20m+ De Winter a top target to replace Branthwaite
It appears that Everton and their owners, the Friedkin Group, are already beginning to prepare for life without Branthwaite next season.
According to a new report from TEAMTalk, the Toffees have made Genoa centre-half Koni De Winter a top target if Branthwaite leaves, with the defender enjoying a fine season in Serie A.
koni-de-winter-genoa
TEAMTalk reports that Everton's scouts are following De Winter closely and that the 22-year-old Belgium international is considered a "strong candidate to reinforce their defence."
The Merseyside club, however, will face competition from Inter Milan, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and a host of other clubs for his services, which Genoa reportedly rate at £21 million.
It's understood that Genoa, who are currently 12th in Serie A, will not stand in the way of De Winter leaving this summer if the right offer comes in, despite his contract running until 2028.
Everton manager David Moyes Related
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He is enjoying a brilliant season at his current club.
De Winter, formerly of Juventus, was highly praised by former Juve teammate Leonardo Bonucci after he made his senior debut for the Old Lady back in 2021.
“Koni had a good game, he played with personality," Bonucci said after the Old Lady's 1-0 win over Malmo in the Champions League, according to Old Juve. "He has no fear and this will be an advantage for his career."
“He must remain humble now, he has enormous room for improvement, he has a whole career ahead of him.”