‘Everton can’t stop £70m+ Jarrad Branthwaite move next year as exit terms emerge’
Everton will be powerless to stop star man Jarrad Branthwaite from leaving the club next summer.
The Toffees are in the process of overhauling David Moyes‘ squad ahead of their move to the Hill Dickinson stadium.
Thierno Barry will likely join from Villareal soon, and the club are expected to buy several more players between now and the window’s closure in September.
But despite being linked with plenty of incoming players, Everton’s most important signing of the summer so far has been agreeing to a new contract with Branthwaite.
The 23-year-old has emerged as one of the Premier League’s best young defenders and made 73 appearances for the club in the last two seasons.
However, the former Carlisle United defender’s brilliant form has led to interest from Man United and Chelsea in Branthwaite, with the former having several bids rejected for the centre-back last summer [Sky Sports].
But despite agreeing to a new five-year deal at the beginning of July, according to MailOnline, the defender has a clause that could see him move clubs as early as next summer.
Branthwaite contract contains £70m+ release clause
The 23-year-old is one of world football’s most in-demand players, making his new deal a serious coup for Everton as they look to ascend up the ranks of the Premier League.
But as reported, there is an exit clause of “more than £70m” in Branthwaite’s new deal that can be triggered next summer.
Moyes played a “crucial role” in convincing the defender to remain at Everton, and the ex-Blackburn Rovers loanee is now “among the club’s highest earners”, but the centre-back has ambitions of playing Champions League football, something the Toffees cannot offer.
Branthwaite future may rely on World Cup place
Football Insider Verdict
Branthwaite was left out of Thomas Tuchel’s initial England squad in March and once again when the Three Lions were assembled for fixtures against Andorra and Senegal in June.
The German cited the 23-year-old’s lack of experience in European football [MailOnline], instead selecting Dan Burn and Jarell Quansah despite neither performing at the level of the Everton star.
Branthwaite has shown little interest in forcing an exit from the Toffees, and his contract extension was a show of belief in the project being built at the Hill Dickinson.
However, the defender is ambitious and should he continue to be left out of England’s squads, he may be forced to look for a move elsewhere.
With the 2026 World Cup closing in, Branthwaite’s future at his current club may be contingent on whether or not he is on the plane to North America next summer.