Everton have reportedly placed a £75m price-tag on young defender Jarrad Branthwaite, amid rumoured interest from Tottenham Hotspur.
Branthwaite has been a revelation at Goodison Park this season, nailing down a regular spot in Sean Dyche's back four.
Three straight clean sheets has helped Everton towards one of the best defensive records in the Premier League so far this season, with Branthwaite at the heart of it alongside stand-in captain James Tarkowski.
Being a left-sided central defender - a highly sought-after role - the Daily Mail claims that Gareth Southgate is keeping close tabs on Branthwaite for future England squads, ahead of Euro 2024.
The England manager was in attendance as Everton beat Chelsea 2-0 at Goodison Park on Sunday, where the 21-year-old helped ensure a third straight win for the Toffees.
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It is not just Southgate who has taken notice either, as Football Transfers claims that Spurs are interested in signing the defender to solve their current crisis in that position.
The report states Branthwaite will not come cheap though, as Everton value their man at £75m, after signing him for just under £1m from Carlisle United back in 2020.
Branthwaite came into the starting XI back in August, after a 4-0 defeat at Aston Villa saw him replace Michael Keane in the side, and he has gone on to play in all 14 league games since.
The young defender spent last season on loan at PSV Eindhoven in the Eredivisie, helping them to secure Champions League qualification, and success in the KNVB Beker.
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PSV were believed to be interested in making the move permanent, but only offered a fraction of the rumoured price-tag that Everton have now placed on the player.
Playing a starring role since breaking into the Everton team saw Branthwaite rewarded with a new contract in October, a deal that keeps him tied down to the club until 2027.
A hamstring injury suffered by Micky van de Ven and suspension to Cristian Romero left Spurs very light on defensive options, so they are expected to enter the market in January.
Radu Dragusin has also been linked, following his fine start to the season with newly-promoted Genoa in Serie A, where he has been ever-present, and scored the winning goal against Hellas Verona last month.
Branthwaite will not feature in the league until Everton play Spurs just two days before Christmas as the defender is banned for their trip to Burnley on Saturday.
Andrew Delaney
