Liverpool considering ‘making move’ for Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite
Arne Slot is set to be forced into the transfer market to sign a new centre-back amid concerns about Ibrahima Konate’s form and their lack of depth.
Konate has been slammed for his Liverpool displays following defeats against Crystal Palace and Galatasaray, while he continues to be linked to Real Madrid.
Football Insider revealed on 20 September that Liverpool are already planning to replace Konate and have drawn up a list of potential targets.
Since then, backup centre-back Giovanni Leoni has suffered a cruciate ligament injury, forcing Slot to consider his options in the January window.
Liverpool have set their sights on multiple targets to strengthen at the back, with Everton star Jarrad Branthwaite emerging as a top contender.
Liverpool tracking Jarrad Branthwaite with long-term move in mind
Football Insider revealed on 30 September that Liverpool and Man United have no chance of signing Branthwaite in January as Everton will not sell him.
However, the Reds are set to keep a close eye on his performances over the coming season with a view to bringing him in and letting him develop alongside Virgil van Dijk.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that Branthwaite is “certainly” on their radar with a long-term move in mind.
“Branthwaite will certainly be on the radar at Liverpool,” he told Football Inisder.
“I’d be very surprised if he was to move in January, Everton won’t want to let him go and he’s had this injury which he needs to recover from.
“Clubs like Liverpool will be keeping an eye on that I’m sure, seeing how well he recovers and if he gets back to his best quickly because it’s another long layoff for him.
“Plus, he’s a left-sided centre-back, and that’s the position Van Dijk plays in at the moment so bringing him in would do little to solve their problems.
“But like I say, that interest will be there as a long-term option, and maybe he could come in and develop his game a bit more by learning from Van Dijk.
“I just don’t see him as a replacement for Konate, and it would be a shock to see him leave Everton now.
“I expect they’ll keep an eye on how he progresses over the rest of the season and then if they think there’s a position for him, that might be when they make a move.”
Everton will be confident of keeping hold of their star player, as Liverpool’s plan to bring in a new centre-back has become urgent, with January moves on the cards.
Everton set to block moves to sign Branthwaite
Football Insider revealed on 21 September that Everton will block any approaches for Branthwaite with both Man United and Liverpool keen to bring him in.
Branthwaite signed a new Everton contract in July to commit his long-term future to the club, extending his stay at the Hill Dickinson Stadium until 2030.
While the new contract has done little to deter interest in the centre-back, it has placed David Moyes‘ side in a strong position with regard to his potential exit.
Moyes has no plans to lose his best players and is aiming to continue the upward trajectory the club has experienced since his appointment in January.
However, Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham are also believed to have shown an interest in the defender amid claims Everton could be powerless to keep Branthwaite next summer.
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