Tottenham could splash the cash on Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite this summer.
Branthwaite’s reputation as one of the Premier League’s leading young centre-backs has piqued the interest of both Tottenham and Chelsea.
Spurs’ pursuit of the 22-year-old will hinge on what happens with Cristian Romero, who could leave the North London club amid interest from Atletico Madrid.
The transfer fee that Everton are likely to command could eclipse the £65million Tottenham paid for Dominic Solanke last summer, while Branthwaite’s recent contract talks will only further add to the huge outlay for the defender.
Branthwaite in contract extension talks with Everton
David Moyes is keen to quash any move for his star defender as the Merseyside club prepare to open their Premier League campaign on a high at their new stadium.
MORE SPURS STORIES
Daniel Levy now faces a race against time to secure Branthwaite after it was reported in the Liverpool Echo (19 June) that the Toffees have opened contract talks with the centre-back.
It puts Spurs in an awkward position, as they are unlikely to sanction the move before the futures of other players are decided or Thomas Frank has had the opportunity to properly assess the squad.
They also have to sell the project to Branthwaite. However, ex-Spurs scout Bryan King – speaking exclusively to Tottenham News – believes that the Lilywhites could at least better Everton’s contract offer.
“Tottenham need to offer better terms than Everton,” King said.
“That is the only way they’re going to be able to sign him. Everton will need to offer Branthwaite around £150,000-per-week if they want to keep him at the football club.
“However, I’m sure that Tottenham will be able to offer more than that. Although Spurs do have quite a few central defenders on the books already. Romero, Micky van de Ven, Kevin Danso, and Ben Davies, who can also play there.
“Someone will need to go to make way for a player of that cost. You can’t bring in Branthwaite and tell him he’s going to be a regular when you’ve already got all those players at centre-back.”
Branthwaite is the perfect profile for Spurs
There are very few players who are a natural fit for a club, but Branthwaite certainly comes close on the surface.
The centre-back is a colossus in the air, which Tottenham’s current back line lacks despite Micky Van de Ven‘s height, and is also very capable of playing out the back, akin to Frank’s philosophy.
He has Premier League experience, but at 22, he also has plenty of room to grow.