Sean Dyche, the manager of Everton, has categorically rejected that the acquisition of Jake O’Brien will make it easier for Manchester United to get Jarrad Branthwaite.
Following the £52 million purchase of Leny Yoro, Erik ten Hag is eager to add another center-back, and the 22-year-old has been on United’s radar for more than a year.
Antonio Silva and Matthijs de Ligt have also been mentioned, but it’s rumored that Branthwaite has already reached a personal agreement with the Red Devils and won’t sign a new deal with the Toffees.
Everton, which earlier turned down a £50 million offer for the player who almost lost out on a spot at Euro 2024, is sticking to their £70 million value of the England international.
And despite now having a replacement for Branthwaite, Dyche is adamant his star player will not be leaving Goodison Park this summer.
Asked by Sky Sports what bearing O’Brien had on Branthwaite’s future, the manager jokingly exclaimed: ‘No way! You’re kidding me! I’m very surprised you’ve put two and two together at Everton Football Club.
‘It’s nothing to do with that. It’s just to do with trying to model the club with the finances available. Obviously we’re stretched at the moment with depth.
‘Trying to bring in players who can add layers to the club. Younger players who can develop and protect the club both on and off the pitch with their performances and then in the future with the finances.
‘It’s a tough juggling act and it’s tough to find the players who can do that. We think we have a few here.
‘We’ve made it clear to him [Branthwaite] that there’s nothing other than that. But of course put two and two together and everyone starts speculating. What do you do?’
Following the £50m sale of Amadou Onana to Aston Villa, Everton are under no pressure to sell this summer, making it likely that United will have to break the bank if they want Branthwaite at Old Trafford.
O’Brien has been signed for around £17m from Lyon, just a year after the 23-year-old Ireland international left Crystal Palace.