Liverpool have been linked with a move for 22-year-old Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite, a target for Manchester United.
Jarrad Branthwaite is a target for Manchester United as well, and a report from Give Me Sport has claimed that Everton will demand around £70 million to part ways with the 22-year-old amid his emerging links with Liverpool.
Liverpool could certainly use a quality defender, and Branthwaite has emerged as a target ahead of the January transfer window. It remains to be seen whether they are ready to break the bank for the England international.
Brathwaite is one of the finest defenders in the Premier League, and he could develop into a world-class player with the right guidance. Even though the £70 million asking price seems like a premium right now, the Englishman has the quality to justify the investment in the long term.
Liverpool have previously paid a similar amount of money for Virgil van Dijk, and they will be fully aware of the fact how the former Southampton defender transformed them. The Liverpool captain is in his thirties, while Joe Gomez and Ibrahima Konate can be injury-prone.
So, Liverpool need to invest in another reliable central defender and Branthwaite would be the ideal acquisition. The Reds certainly have the finances to get the deal done, and it will be interesting to see how the situation develops.
Manchester United keen on Jarrad Branthwaite
Manchester United are tracking the defender as well, and they are expected to make a move for him in the near future. The Red Devils will have to tighten up at the back if they want to do well. They have looked quite vulnerable defensively despite signing players like Leny Yoro and Matthijs de Ligt.
It will be interesting to see where the 22-year-old ends up. The opportunity to join clubs like Liverpool or Manchester United will be quite attractive for the player, and he will want to join a team where he will play regularly and push for major trophies.
In that regard, a move to Liverpool might be more attractive to the £70 million-rated defender. The Reds are at a level required to push for trophies regularly. On the other hand, Manchester United are still going through a rebuild, and they are yet to compete for major trophies on a regular basis.
