Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite has admitted that he is not distracted by links away from Goodison Park as Man United and Real Madrid target the 21-year-old ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.
The centre-back has been tremendous for the Toffees this season and his displays in a blue shirt earned him a first call-up to England’s senior squad for the March internationals. The Everton star will be hoping to make it onto the plane to Germany this summer for Euro 2024 but his first mission is to keep his current club in the Premier League.
The Merseyside outfit have been hit by two separate points deductions this season and it leaves them two points away from safety.
Once the season is over Branthwaite will likely make a decision on his future as reports have stated that Man United and Real Madrid are interested in the Englishman.
Following Everton’s win over Burnley on Saturday, the centre-back stated that he is blocking all the rumours out as he is fully focused on the Toffees until the end of the season.
Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite blocking Man United links out
“You have just got to block it all out. I think if you focus on the outside stuff, you get distracted from what you need to do on the pitch,” Branthwaite said via 90min following the Burnley win. “For me now, until the end of the season, I am just focused on winning games for Everton Football Club.”
The defender’s contract at Goodison Park runs until 2027 after fresh terms were penned in October and Everton are expected to demand upwards of £70m if the 21-year-old is to leave this summer.
Interested clubs have a strong chance of landing the England star if the Toffees are relegated from the Premier League but even if the Merseyside club survive, their financial issues may force them to part ways with the centre-back if a big offer arrives.