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Everton star snubs Manchester United and Manchester City interest to sign new long-term contract
Jarrad Branthwaite has signed a new long-term contract with Everton amid links to Manchester United and Manchester City.
The promising young defender was first linked with United over the summer, and then again this week with Erik ten Hag hoping to sign him in January in light of the club’s injury crisis.
City were also said to be keeping tabs on the centre-back who helped England win the U21 Euros over the summer.
However, any move for Branthwaite has just become more unlikely – and more expensive – after it was announced on Friday that he had penned a new deal that will keep him at Everton until 2027.
The stature of the Club, how much of a family it is at Everton and how I just love playing here in front of the fans were key reasons for me signing,’ the 21-year-old told evertontv.
‘To sign this new contract was to show the commitment I have for the Club and show how much it means to me to play for Everton. Since I joined, I’ve felt a connection with the Club.
‘The fans have been really good with me. For the first game I played, the cheer I got when my name was read out just gave me massive confidence to go out there and play my best game.
‘When the manager [Sean Dyche] has full confidence in you, it makes you feel like you’re welcome here and I know I can go on the pitch when the manager puts me out there and he has full belief in me. It’s a massive factor in signing the contract.’
Branthwaite, who enjoyed a breakthrough season on loan at PSV in 2022/23, was left on the bench for three of the Toffees’ first four games, but is now appears to be a mainstay in the side.
Performances and results have improved as a result but Everton still remain in a relegation battle, with the club 16th in the table with just four points ahead of Saturday’s clash against fellow strugglers Bournemouth.
United meanwhile have other centre-back targets in mind with Lisandro Martinez set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines, including Nice star Jean-Clair Tobido and Antonio Silva of Benfica.
