Everton may have found Yerry Mina replacement as deal agreed – pundit
Noel Whelan has claimed Jarrad Branthwaite could cement his place in the Everton first-team with a successful loan spell at PSV Eindhoven.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed any of the Toffees’ rearguard could have departed after a torrid 2021-22 season.
According to The Guardian (14 July), Branthwaite, 20, will join PSV Eindhoven on a season-long loan – where former Everton director of football Marcel Brands is in charge of transfer business.
The report claims Brands has been tracking the young defender “for some time”.
Meanwhile, centre-back Yerry Mina is out of contract in June 2023 – with no whisperings of a potential extension.
Whelan suggested Branthwaite could succeed the Colombian next summer if he is successful in the Eredivisie.
“Defensively, Everton were found out last season,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.
“They didn’t find that stubborn nature until the end of the season – when they really had to be solid and win games that way.
“Frank Lampard used a different system and it worked, but I think anyone could have left – to be honest.
“Look, this is something this kid might grow from. If he gets a season of playing regular football in the Eredivisie – which isn’t an easy league – he could really learn his trade out there.
“He’s still very young, so there’s nothing to say that he won’t come back into the Everton first-team if he has a successful season with PSV.
“This is an opportunity he needs to take. Lampard has made his mind up very quickly, but it’s up to him to secure his future at the club.“
Branthwaite made eight appearances for Everton last term.
PSV Eindhoven will play Champions League football in the 2022-23 campaign.
In other news, Football Insider updates as Everton open talks over “huge” Anthony Gordon deal after Newcastle bid.