The Jarrad Branthwaite next club odds are interesting to say the least, as it looks likely that he could leave Everton in the summer transfer window. Merseyside rivals Liverpool are surprisingly one club linked, would make him the first Everton player in 22 years after Abel Xavier to switch straight to the Reds. Nick Barmby sent shockwaves through Merseyside when he did the same in June 2000, and Branthwaite would have a similar impact.
The centre-back has impressed despite a difficult season for the Toffees, having been deducted 10 points for breaking PSR rules, reduced to six on appeal, and facing another charge that could see a similar fate. As such, they are only four points clear of the relegation zone in 16th, and in danger of dropping down to the Championship.
Should that happen, stars like Branthwaite would almost certainly be sold, but even if Everton stay in the Premier League, he will have plenty of clubs courting him this summer, as we assess some of the most likely candidates for his signature according to betting markets.
Jarrad Branthwaite next club odds: ‘Unthinkable' defection now 25/1
Manchester United – 7/4 favourites
Manchester United are considered favourites to sign Branthwaite should he leave this summer. They already have four established centre-halves at the club in Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof, Lisandro Martinez and Harry Maguire, but only one is left-footed in Martinez, and is 100% comfortable on playing on the left-hand side.
Lindelof has shown awkwardness as a right-footed player playing at left-back at times this season, and with the way Erik ten Hag wants to play, he wants his team to be as fluid as possible from the back. Unfortunately, Martinez's injury problems have limited him to just 10 appearances in all competitions this campaign, so signing Branthwaite would make sense to give sufficient cover.
Arsenal – 7/1
With injuries to the likes of Oleksandr Zinchenko, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Jurrien Timber this season, Arsenal have struggled with sufficient left-sided cover in defence. Branthwaite would of course help with that, and he also suits Mikel Arteta's style of play.
He is comfortable playing out from the back, averaging the second-most passes per game (40.2) in the Premier League in the Everton squad, and the highest passing accuracy of all Everton defenders (79.4%). Branthwaite has also scored twice this season too, and with Arsenal scoring the most from set-pieces in the league, he would add another threat from them.
Real Madrid – 8/1
Real Madrid are considered the most likely club outside of the Premier League to sign Branthwaite this summer. Given the success of Englishman Jude Bellingham moving to the Santiago Bernabeu, Branthwaite could follow a similar path, and has already been rewarded with a senior call-up to the England squad, which has seen his odds of making the final Euro 2024 squad shorten dramatically.
Real have had injuries at centre-back to the likes of Eder Militao and David Alaba this season, and so Branthwaite would provide sufficient cover in that area for next campaign. Nonetheless, there is no bigger club for the 21-year-old to continue to learn his trade.
Liverpool – 25/1
Liverpool are considered major outsiders to sign Branthwaite this summer, but it is a move that cannot be ruled out. As mentioned earlier in the article, the likes of Xavier and Barmby have made the move across Merseyside before, and Branthwaite could do the same.
Everton and Liverpool are on different trajectories right now, with the former under financial constraints and in danger of getting relegated, while the latter have won the Carabao Cup and could win three trophies this season with the Premier League and UEFA Europa League. However, Liverpool would likely to have to pay extra to sign Branthwaite directly from their Merseyside rivals, which could make him very expensive.
