David Moyes has issued a warning to Manchester United and Chelsea (Picture: Getty)
David Moyes has warned Manchester United and Chelsea they will need to ‘bring a big big of money’ if they hope to sign Jarrad Branthwaite from Everton.
A number of top clubs have monitored Branthwaite’s developments at Goodison Park over the past 18 months.
The 22-year-old enjoyed a superb 2023-24 campaign and has continued to impress this season since recovering from an injury setback.
Premier League giants Man United and Chelsea have been heavily linked with moves for Branthwaite but Moyes says it will take a ‘big bag of money’ to tempt Everton to sell.
‘Jarrad has done really well, said Moyes, who recently returned to Goodison Park for his second stint as Everton boss.
‘There are moments when he can do better, there are times he still plays like a young centre-back but has an awful lot going for him.
‘He’s already been involved in the England squad before I came, he played really well last week and has got a good mentor around him in Tarky [James Tarkowski].
Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite (Picture: Getty)
‘Tarky has been around the league and seen a lot. He has been a good mentor in helping and improving him.
‘I think the PSR, I don’t know all the stuff but we still have some work to do in the summer. I was aware of it when I came in but I’m hoping we’re beginning to stop thinking about that now.
‘We’re beginning to think about moving forward, what we’re going to do. I think we’ve got a bill to pay, hopefully we pay that bill then we’re in the clear.
Man Utd and Chelsea are both interested in deals (Picture: Getty)
‘So, Jarrad is a top player and if people want to buy Jarrad, I’ve said many times – bring a big bag of money.’
Such has been Brathwaite’s rise, many Everton fans were surprised the Toffees defender was not included in England’s Euro 2024 squad last summer.
Earlier in the season, Brathwaite was named as the ‘final piece of the jigsaw’ for Premier League giants Chelsea.
Chelsea are expected to launch a move for their former player Marc Guehi in the summer but could turn to Braithwaite if they fail to sign the Crystal Palace centre-back.
‘Put simply, there are still weaknesses [for Chelsea] and these tend to be found out at the top level,’ former Blues winger Nevin told the BBC.
‘The central defensive partnership, whoever they use, isn’t close to the level that Arsenal and Liverpool have and you could say the same about the goalkeeper.
‘I just wonder if Jarrad Branthwaite could be prised from my beloved Everton, would this be close to the final piece of the jigsaw?’
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