Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are leading the race to sign Jarrad Branthwaite from Everton.
The centre-back has had a breakout season on Merseyside to become an integral part of Sean Dyche’s side, impressing alongside James Tarkowski for an Everton team who boast the joint fourth-best defensive record in the Premier League.
Branthwaite’s performances and profile have earned attention from the Premier League’s wealthiest sides, with several plotting summer approaches for the 21-year-old.
Chelsea, Arsenal and Real Madrid are all understood to have monitored his development, though Spurs and Manchester United are currently frontrunners.
The Daily Mail are reporting that Manchester United and Spurs are ‘making the most concerted effort at this stage’ with the former keen to sign two centre-backs in the summer window.
At 21, with homegrown status and a natural left-sided option, Branthwaite’s appeal is clear for Premier League rivals, each keen to capitalise on Everton’s financial situation.
Branthwaite’s displays this season have seen him backed to break into the England squad and the defender could be handed a first senior call-up when the Three Lions face Brazil and Belgium in friendly fixtures next month.
The centre-back signed for Everton in a £1m deal from Carlisle in 2020 and impressed on loan at PSV Eindhoven last season before returning to Goodison Park.
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