- Everton are yet offer Jarrad Branthwaite a new deal amid interest in the defender
- 22-year-old is understood to be among lower earners in club’s first-team squad
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Everton are yet to open talks over a new contract for coveted defender Jarrad Branthwaite ahead of the January window amid concerns whether they can afford to make him one of their top earners.
Branthwaite, an England international, was the subject of £50million offers from Manchester United in the summer while neighbours Liverpool and Manchester City are monitoring his progress.
He is valued at £75million by Everton but is understood to still be among the lower earners of the Goodison club’s first team squad.
The 22-year old remains a target for rival clubs next month while United, struggling to buy under PSR restrictions, have indicated they will return in the summer.
Branthwaite has just over two years left on contract though and Mail Sport sources have indicated he would be willing to commit to a new deal at Everton following the takeover by the Friedkin Group.
United were reportedly willing to offer £160,000 a week to Branthwaite in August but Everton’s top earners are reputed to earn closer to £130,000 a week.
Jarrad Branthwaite is yet to be offered a new deal at Everton, despite several clubs keeping tabs on the defender
Man United were reportedly prepared to offer Branthwaite worth £160,000-a-week during their ultimately unsuccessful pursuit
Matching those figures is understood by club insiders to be an obstacle to negotiations going forward as they look to work within a strict wage structure.
Despite the price tag Everton have placed on their cultured centre back, they have yet to open discussions over rewarding his progress and his new standing at the club – potentially risking the chance to ring-fence his future and his value as a prized asset going forward.
