Contrary to rumours earlier this week, Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite has not stated he is unsettled at the club, according to a new report.
Sky Sports News broke the news that Branthwaite is now considering his future on Merseyside after being left out of Thomas Tuchel's England squad this month.
Branthwaite only has one England cap to his name, earned shortly before Euro 2024, a competition that the Everton man would go on to miss anyway.
However, after an injury-hit start to the season, the 22-year-old is now showing the sort of form that earned him that first call-up under Gareth Southgate again, and warranted interest from the likes of Manchester United and even Real Madrid.
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Branthwaite 'remains happy' at Everton
Given Everton's struggles both on and off the pitch over the past half-decade, any player with significant sell-on value has departed recently, including Richarlison, Anthony Gordon and Amadou Onana.
Many are resigned to the fact that Branthwaite could be next, but with new owners now at the helm, and everything in order for the Toffees to move to their new waterfront stadium next season, they could be able to persuade the young defender to stay.
Mark Douglas, the Northern correspondent for the i, has claimed reports of Branthwaite being unsettled at Goodison Park are wide of the mark, contradicting those that were making headlines earlier in the week.
The reports also suggests that a new contract for Branthwaite at Everton is possible, now that the club find themselves on a much more stable footing financially, following the recent takeover by the Friedkin Group.
Everton will avoid relegation once again, following the resurgence under David Moyes, but they are going to miss out on European football, something that was believed to be a big reason why the likes of Gordon and Onana in particular wanted to leave.
Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur remain interested, but Everton are set to hold out for the asking price they set on Branthwaite last summer, while big promises will have to be made to the player, regarding their ambition going forward.
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Was Branthwaite unfortunate to miss out on the England squad?
Many were scratching their heads at some of the selections by Tuchel in his first England squad, and few players could feel more hard done by at being left out than Branthwaite.
Everton had the fourth-best defensive record in the Premier League last season, and they have let in just 11 goals in 10 games since Moyes took over for a second time.
Branthwaite's versatility and two-footedness is also a key strength, with him just as capable using either foot to play out from the back, clear danger, or to shoot, with 63% of his actions coming with his left foot, and 37% being on his right.
Man United were impressed enough to enter the market for the defender last summer, but they had two bids swiftly rejected in the region of £40-45m, falling a long way below Everton's valuation which is believed to be close to £70m.
Andrew Delaney
