Everton could land Maguire 2.0 in place of “top-level” Branthwaite

Everton are already looking ahead to the 2024/25 campaign after securing a place in the Premier League despite a turbulent season off the pitch.

The Toffees finished the season 14 points clear of the relegation zone, with defense playing a key role in their success – keeping 13 clean sheets.

Sean Dyche led the team to survival, despite being stripped of two points during the season, with five wins from the club's last eight games in the top flight in 2023/24.

The former Burnley manager and his recruitment team can now look ahead to the upcoming summer transfer window to decide what they want to do to improve the playing squad ahead of next term.

However, the club may lose many key players during the off-season, and the club needs to release players to avoid PSR violations next season.

Jarrad Branthwaite is the most likely to leave Merseyside, amid interest from Manchester United, leaving Dyche and his team with a gap in their back line, desperately needing to find a replacement for the youngster at Goodison.

A player Everton should be looking to replace Branthwaite

In recent months, Everton have been linked with the signing of Hull City defender Jacob Greaves, following his impressive campaign for the Tigers in the Championship.

The 23-year-old has made 43 appearances for the second team, and Ange Postecoglou's Tottenham Hotspur are also said to be interested in the left-back, although the extent of their interest in him is currently unclear. a moment in time.

Football Insider previously claimed that a bid of around £15m from any interested parties should be enough to tempt the Tigers into doing business in the summer.

It could be a potential bargain for Dyche's side, especially given the price of English talent in 2024. Undoubtedly, the club will not want to lose star player Branthwaite, but their financial situation may force them to sell him for balance. books.

However, any potential move for Greaves would be a shrewd one, and the youngster has the ability to follow in the footsteps of big-money Premier League talent.

Why Greaves could be Everton's Harry Maguire 2.0

Harry Maguire has been a big name in England over the last few years, joining Manchester United for £80m from Leicester City and playing for England in many major competitions.

However, having played for Hull earlier in his career, he made a name for himself before completing a move to the East Midlands after the Foxes won the Premier League – Greaves will follow a similar path to his compatriot.

When considering Greaves' stats this season, the 22-year-old has produced impressive numbers that blow United defender Maguire out of the water.

The “high-end” defender, as called by Second Tier Podcast host Ryan Dilks, managed 161 passes in 2023/24 – more than double the 31-year-old's tally in the same period.

He also averaged 5% more passes than the England international, and he was also not playing.

Greaves also dominated in possession, winning 76 tackles and 177 aerial duels – with both figures more than double Maguire's, albeit at a lower level.

Given the club's financial problems, Everton will have to be smart about who they sign and how much they spend on any potential signings.

However, the Hull defender has shown his quality at an equal level under Liam Rosenior, with the 22-year-old more than deserving of the opportunity to showcase his skills at Goodison in the Premier League.

Losing Branthwaite would no doubt be a blow, but snapping up another young, left-footed Englishman to bolster the back line wouldn't be too bad a move.