Bellingham reacts to Jarrad Branthwaite’s new Everton post
Jarrad Branthwaite’s future remains up in the air at Everton after the defender and his team-mates said goodbye to Goodison Park.
Everton‘s men’s first-team played their last ever match at Goodison Park on Sunday and recorded a 2-0 win over relegated Southampton, to farewell the Grand Old Lady with just a fifth home win of the season.
Iliman Ndiaye netted a first-half brace to quickly put the result beyond doubt against a passive Saints side, and David Moyes‘ attention will soon be on the move to their new home at Bramley-Moore Dock.
That attention will also be on a significant summer transfer window with no less than 13 players in line to leave Everton, but another who they’ll be desperate to keep hold of is England centre-back Branthwaite.
Jarrad Branthwaite posts Goodison Park farewell at Everton
Branthwaite’s future has long since been a point of debate on Merseyside, and a cash-strapped Everton were able to reject several cut-price offers from Manchester United throughout last summer’s window.
Further interest in Branthwaite is expected 12 months on, and former United scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Chelsea are the latest club ready to test the water at Everton with a big-money bid.
The 22-year-old could yet sign a new deal and commit his future to Everton ahead of their move to the Hill Dickinson Stadium, but Branthwaite didn’t give away his intentions in an Instagram post on Monday (19 May).
Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Sunderland midfielder Jobe Bellingham – who are also linked with moves this summer – both liked the captionless post, and Asmir Begovic also left a ‘fist-bump’ comment.
Jarrad Branthwaite transfer to fund Everton rebuild?
Everton’s squad will look wildly different to its current composition by the time August rolls around, with Calvert-Lewin one of eight players out of contract and decisions still to be made on their five loanees.
The exits of Begovic, Ashley Young and Joao Virginia have already been confirmed by Everton ahead of the summer, but transfer income will only be generated by selling their prize assets such as Branthwaite.
Interest close to home from arch-rivals Liverpool has even been mooted as Everton prepare for another summer of transfer speculation, but every single Blues fan will be desperate to see Branthwaite stay put.