Shock Jarrad Branthwaite to Liverpool transfer 'link' emerges as major Everton hint dropped

Sky Bet has slashed its odds on Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite joining Liverpool before the transfer window closes at the end of the month. The Blues have rejected two bids from Manchester United for the defender already this summer.

Branthwaite was one of the shining lights of a torrid 2023/24 season at Goodison Park as he returned from a loan spell at Dutch side PSV Eindhoven to start 35 of a possible 38 games in the Premier League last season.

The 22-year-old's impressive form for Sean Dyche's side saw him called up to England's provisional squad for the European Championships. However, Branthwaite - along with Manchester City's Jack Grealish and Tottenham Hotspur's James Maddison - was one of several high-profile players omitted by Gareth Southgate for the Three Lions' final squad.

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But despite his omission, Branthwaite spent the summer months in the headlines as Manchester United - in their first transfer window of the INEOS era - looked to lure the former Carlise United defender to Old Trafford but failed with two offers that fell way short of Everton's valuation.

Now, though, Sky Bet has slashed the odds on Branthwaite to leave Goodison Park this summer. He is currently priced at 2/1 to make a shock summer move to bitter city rivals Liverpool. United are 3/1 to sign the defender, while Manchester City (4/1) and Real Madrid (12/1) are other destinations that Sky have priced up for the England international.

However, it is worth stressing that no credible reports are linking Branthwaite, who is contracted with Everton until 2027, with a move to Liverpool. And betting odds are often shortened when a high volume of bets are placed to make the market less profitable.

Last October, though, former Liverpool forward and ECHO columnist John Aldridge urged his old side to make a move for Branthwaite after his impressive display in the Merseyside derby at Anfield.

"I don’t want to upset any Evertonians by saying this, and whether Liverpool would buy from Everton is another matter as it rarely happens, but I certainly think he has got the ability to go on and become a leading figure and a starter for England," wrote Aldridge of Branthwaite in his ECHO column.

"The fact Jurgen Klopp even talked him up before the game in his pre-match press conference was interesting. He is likely to be on the radar of other teams as well, Manchester United have already been mentioned as a possible destination, but it’s up to Everton over what they do with him."

He added: "A left-sided centre-back is something we were in the market for during the summer transfer window, which we didn’t end up signing in the end. If we were to make a move for Branthwaite, he would probably cost a significant amount due to the English premium that we so often see in the game.

"Coming to Liverpool would be hard for the lad, it takes a bit of doing to make that switch across Stanley Park. I don’t want to upset anyone, I will stress that again, but I think he has a really bright future."