Arsenal and Liverpool were reportedly keen on signing 23-year-old English defender Jarrad Branthwaite from Everton in the summer transfer window.

According to a report by Graeme Bailey on TBR Football, Arsenal and Liverpool are interested in Jarrad Branthwaite. The two Premier League heavyweights are keen on reinforcing their defensive units in the summer transfer window by signing a centre-back. So, the 23-year-old Everton defender has emerged as a target for them.

However, the Englishman is on the cusp of signing a new contract with the Merseyside outfit, compelling Arsenal and Liverpool to look elsewhere for a new centre-back in the summer transfer window. Meanwhile, Branthwaite’s deal will see his wages more than treble, with the youngster earning £35,000 per week on his current terms.

Jarrad Branthwaite and his recent rise

Jarrad Branthwaite has seen his stock skyrocket in the last two seasons. The 23-year-old has been a mainstay at the back for Everton since returning from a fruitful loan spell with PSV Eindhoven, coming leaps and bounds during this period. The 22-year-old has turned out nearly 100 times thus far for Everton while chipping in with four goals and two assists.

Branthwaite’s exploits for Everton have helped him break into his national squad, although he has yet to become a regular at the back. Meanwhile, the English defender’s stock in the market is high, with Arsenal and Liverpool among the prospective suitors vying for his signature in the summer transfer window. However, he will sign a new contract with Everton in the coming days after the Toffees initially valued him at £70 million.

A man in demand

Arsenal’s interest in Jarrad Branthwaite is understandable. While Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba are the first-choice centre-backs, the latter is constantly a target for European bigwigs. So, signing Branthwaite will protect Arsenal against a potential departure. In addition, with Jakub Kiwior keen on leaving the North London club, the Everton defender can replace the Pole.

As for Liverpool, Virgil van Dijk is on the wrong side of 30 and approaching the twilight of his career. In addition, Joe Gomez has been injury-prone throughout his spell with the Merseyside club. Furthermore, Liverpool will sell Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen this summer. So, with Ibrahima Konate’s long-term future uncertain, the Reds need a new centre-back.

However, Branthwaite will not join Arsenal or Liverpool in the summer transfer window, as he is on the cusp of signing a new contract with Everton. The 23-year-old Englishman, who currently earns £35,000 per week, will more than triple his wages with his next deal.