Real Madrid have reportedly joined Manchester United in the race for Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite.
The 22-year-old was one of the most impressive players at Goodison Park when Everton and Man United drew 2-2 on Saturday, and he has been a target for the Red Devils for over a year now.
However, both of their summer bids, believed to be in the region of £40m, were quickly rebuffed by Everton, who found them to be a long way below their valuation of the young defender.
With Branthwaite continuing to go from strength to strength in a rejuvenated Everton side under David Moyes, though, interest is set to follow this summer.
Branthwaite was part of the backline that ranked fourth in terms of fewest goals conceded in the Premier League last season, despite Everton finishing down in 15th, and only four clubs have let in less this season.
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Real Madrid to rival Man United for brilliant Branthwaite
Those statistics have not gone unnoticed, because Spanish outlet AS claim that Real Madrid are now set to move for Branthwaite in the summer, with the report stating they will need to cough up €75m (£62m) for his signature.
Los Blancos manager Carlo Ancelotti briefly managed Branthwaite as an 18-year-old during his spell in charge at Goodison Park, and following loan moves to Blackburn Rovers and PSV Eindhoven, the player has come on leaps and bounds.
That was illustrated by the fact he was handed his first England cap shortly before Euro 2024, even though he would go on to miss the final squad.
In a season that started with a couple of injury setbacks, Branthwaite has since played in Everton's last 16 league matches after recovering, conceding just 16 goals.
Branthwaite will certainly be in Thomas Tuchel's thoughts ahead of the naming of his first England squad in March, and more international exposure may lead to further interest.
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Real Madrid's defensive woes
Arguably, no elite club in Europe is in greater need of defensive reinforcements than Real Madrid at present, given the injury situation facing the club.
David Alaba has returned at the start of this year following a tortuous year-and-a-half on sidelines, but Eder Militao and Dani Carvajal remain out for the rest of the season.
Added to that, Antonio Rudiger has also spent a few weeks in the treatment room recently, meaning young Raul Asencio has been thrust into the side from nowhere this season.
Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni have had to spend large periods of the campaign playing in Real's back four as well due to the lack of available options, with nobody brought in to replace the versatile Nacho, who left in the summer.
Branthwaite has shown in his career that he is capable of playing across the backline, but Real's greatest need is in his preferred position in the centre of defence, so he would be an ideal option for the club to explore when the window reopens.
Andrew Delaney
