Everton are reportedly interested in signing “outstanding” Premier League player Jarrad Branthwaite this summer.
Everton transfer news
The Blues may have to accept that some key players will be leaving Goodison Park at the end of the season, and Branthwaite is one such.
The Englishman has been a top performer for Everton alongside James Tawkowski throughout this season, proving to be a key player as Sean Dyche's men admirably avoided relegation from the Championship. A move to a bigger club could now be on the cards this summer, however, with Manchester City and Manchester United among those still looking to sign him.
Branthwaite may not be the only Everton player relishing a new challenge, with Amadou Onana regularly linked with the likes of Barcelona, Newcastle United and Arsenal, among others. Hopefully he'll stay around, but that feels like a very small result at the moment.
Jordan Pickford is also not guaranteed to be at Goodison at the start of next season, if he decides to move elsewhere after Euro 2024 this summer. The goalkeeper of Rome, Mile Svilar, has been included in the list to replace the England player.
Everton want “outstanding” Premier League ace
According to a report from Football Transfer, Everton have identified Teden Mengi as Branthwaite's replacement this summer. The report claims that the Blues have “joined Crystal Palace in monitoring the progress” of the Luton Town defender, adding that he is “a major target for the Toffees as they look to replace other defenders”.
While losing Branthwaite in the summer would be a blow for Everton, assuming it happens, Mengi stands out as the tailor's choice to help fill the gap left at the back. The 22-year-old has been a key man for Luton throughout this season, starting 26 Premier League games and was praised by Stephen Warnock: “The defense, especially Teden Mengi, was outstanding today.
“He was good, but what he is allowed to do, or what he is able to do is that he can go strong and what Luton does, they are very brave. To do that, because of Mengi's speed, he is very happy.”
In fact, Mengi has the potential to match Branthwaite when it comes to their stats this season, as the Luton man has fared better than him when it comes to free throws, averaging 4.7 per league game compared to the Everton star's 4.5. The former averaged two passes per game compared to the latter's 1.5, and both are at 1.8 per tackle.
|
Mengi vs. Branthwaite in the Premier League this season |
A lot |
Branthwaite |
|---|---|---|
|
Appearance |
28 |
33 |
|
It starts |
26 |
33 |
|
Goals |
1 |
3 |
|
It helps |
0 |
0 |
|
Specifics per game |
4.7 |
4.5 |
|
Ideas for each game |
2.0 |
1.5 |
|
Fighting for each game |
1.8 |
1.8 |
£10,000-a-week Mengi is still very young, as is Branthwaite, which could well highlight the Buccaneers signing a player who could have an impact at Goodison for years to come.
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