Jarrad Branthwaite sent John Stones transfer warning as Everton brace for interest

Everton FA Cup winner Anders Limpar has urged Jarrad Branthwaite to play a role in shaping the Blues' future.

The starlet caught the attention of a host of clubs through his remarkable breakthrough year at Goodison Park last season - a rise that culminated in his first senior England call-up in May.

That was followed by a high-profile pursuit waged in the summer by Manchester United, though the Old Trafford side failed to get close to the Blues' valuation of a centre back seen as one of the hottest defensive prospects in the game.

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Branthwaite has endured a tough start to the season, losing his summer to his recovery from an operation on a groin issue before returning to lead Everton to their first Premier League win of the season against Crystal Palace. A quad issue suffered in the aftermath of that match led to another spell out, one that ended with 90 minutes and a clean sheet at West Ham United earlier this month. A groin problem sustained in that game led to his withdrawal from the England camp last week.

Once his season does get up and running, Limpar is in little doubt the 22-year-old will attract further interest - with even Liverpool having been touted as admirers in the summer. Branthwaite was crucial in April as he scored in the dominant Merseyside derby win at Goodison Park last season.

For Limpar, Branthwaite should delay any consideration of a move away from Goodison however, particularly with the club on the brink of a move to a state-of-the-art new home and currently in the process of acquiring new owners.

He told mybettingsites.co.uk: “He can pick any team in the world. He can pick any team in the Premier League. Everton had [John] Stones and sold him to [Manchester] City and he became one of the world's best prospects. The players who leave Everton always go on to do well but he should stay at Everton and make the club solid as a team.

“He shouldn’t leave right now. I would like for him to stay at the club a few more years and help Everton and then get his move. He is going to play for big clubs in his career when he wants.”