Everton boss Sean Dyche breaks silence on Jarrad Branthwaite to Manchester United possibility

Everton manager Sean Dyche has admitted that he is powerless if Manchester United decide to come in for Jarrad Branthwaite in the January transfer window.

Jarrad Branthwaite was a key target for Manchester United in the summer but Everton’s inability to negotiate on his £70 million price tag led to them looking at alternatives.

Matthijs de Ligt and Leny Yoro were signed instead to bolster the centre-back situation at Old Trafford but the interest in Branthwaite remains with those at United.

There have been rumours that the Reds could come back in for the 21-year-old in the mid-season window and Dyche has broken his silence on the possibility.

Unless Dan Friedkin completes his takeover at Goodison Park, the Everton boss has admitted that an exit would be likely if an attractive bid was made for Branthwaite, or any of his players.

“Bids for players will not be anything to do with me. You know, or can imagine, the financial situation here,’ he began.

“We have already had to sell players here I didn’t want to. That is just part of the current business of the club.

“The current decision would be that it is likely if somebody offers enough money for any player – then they go.

“Alex Iwobi was like that a day or so before the deadline. I didn’t want to lose him but they said ‘look, this a deal we’ve got to do’. That’s the way it goes so I thought I better work towards the next lot of players I could get in and use.

“Jarrad’s valuation, like every single player, it’s a bit like selling your house. We used to all have a go and say, ‘that looks about right’ but who knows now?”

Branthwaite has had an interrupted start to the season due to injury, with the defender having started just two Premier League games so far.

“It’s about making sure his fitness is definitely rather than maybe because I thought he may be fit enough the last time, and he came out and got injured,” added Dyche.

“Sometimes in football management the hardest decision is to not play someone when everyone is saying you should.”

Branthwaite agreed personal terms with United in the summer and clearly wants the move. Yet, with Everton also seemingly desperate to raise funds, it makes it likely that the Reds continue to haggle for a lower price unless any competitors make a move.

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