Latest developments
- Liverpool are monitoring Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite.
- The Reds see him as an alternative to main target Murillo.
- Branthwaite has been a long-term Manchester United target.
Whisper+ analysis
Authenticity (1/5): Fan site lacking detail
Jarrad Branthwaite could be set to do the unthinkable and cross Stanley Park to sign for Liverpool from Everton.
That is according to Liverpool fansite Rousing the Kop, who name the Englishman as a potential alternative to their main centre-back target, Murillo, despite offering next to no source information.
Value (1.5/5): No cheaper than Murillo
Everton rejected a £50 million bid from Man Utd in the summer, and sources have claimed they want £75-£100 million for their prize asset, despite a market value of £35.4 million.
That would at best make him only slightly cheaper than Murillo, as Nottingham Forest want £80 million for the Brazilian. With United still chasing him and even Real Madrid said to be interested, the price could soon get ridiculous.
Suitability (4/5): Ready for a top club
Branthwaite has been one of the only positives for Everton in another difficult season, and the 22-year-old's calm under pressure and confidence on the ball has won many admirers.
If Arne Slot is one of those, then Branthwaite would have no trouble slotting into the Reds' back four.
Upgrade? (4/5): CB overhaul
The time could be right for a top centre-back to head to Anfield, with main man Virgil van Dijk out of contract in the summer.
Even if van Dijk were to extend his stay, Branthwaite would be confident of partnering him at the back, ahead of Joe Gomez and Ibrahima Konate.
Logic (1.5/5): He couldn't, could he?
Only Abel Xavier and Nick Barmby have moved directly from Everton to Liverpool since the 1950s, and Branthwaite would ramp the pressure on himself up by an extraordinary amount if he went to Anfield.
History shows that probably isn't a good thing. Indeed, while Barmby immediately won three trophies in his first season at Anfield, neither of those Evertonian ‘traitors' had better careers in the long term for having moved.
Branthwaite may well be an exception, but there's still a nagging feeling that there are better options out there – ones that won't come with a side order of sheer blue fury and resentment from fans of the selling club.
Whisper+ verdict: 12/25
Good enough to star at Anfield, but that does not make this likely at all.
