Everton will fight to keep their top players at the club this summer as they eye major progress ahead of the new season.
David Moyes managed to steady the ship since he returned to Merseyside back in January, but he will want to make the squad his own now.
Money is not expected to be an issue with the Friedkins ready to back Everton in the market.
This summer is set to be the biggest on record at Everton with the stadium move also happening over the coming weeks.
But fans will want to see a squad worthy of playing in such a high calibre stadium when the Premier League campaign kicks off in August.
It has been claimed Chelsea have made contact with Jarrad Branthwaite’s representatives and his stance has now been shared.
Photo by Malcolm Couzens/Getty Images
Photo by Malcolm Couzens/Getty Images
The Friedkins are confident they can keep Branthwaite this summer despite the interest coming in for the centre-back.
However, Branthwaite’s stance has now been shared and it may cause some concern among supporters.
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According to the Daily Mail, Branthwaite would only be willing to leave Everton for a club who could offer him Champions League football.
Manchester United will not be signing Branthwaite this summer following their dismal season which failed to provide any European football.
But Chelsea can offer Champions League football, which may worry some on Merseyside.
In recent days, Chelsea beat Everton to the signing of Liam Delap as he also favoured a move to London where he could play Champions League football.
It is claimed Moyes is fighting to keep Branthwaite and, it has to be remembered, Everton hold all the cards in any potential deal.
Everton are eyeing numerous Chelsea players
It does feel as if the only way for Branthwaite to potentially leave this summer is if he was to really force a move.
That feels unlikely as Branthwaite recently admitted he wants to captain Everton in the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
If a deal was to pick up some speed over the coming weeks, perhaps Everton could use it as an opportunity to add some players they have liked for a while now.
Everton are keen on Ben Chilwell and Carney Chukwuemeka who have both been put up for sale by Chelsea.
Neither are of Branthwaite’s quality, but it could soften the blow if Everton did face losing their prized defender.