Jarrad Branthwaite’s excellent start to the new campaign has caught the eye of Europe’s elite once again. The 24-year-old centre-back has started every Premier League match for Everton this season and delivered standout displays, including a commanding performance in the 0-0 draw at Tottenham Hotspur last weekend.
Reports emerged this morning that Real Madrid are weighing up a move for the Cumbrian defender, valued around £80m. Sources close to the story suggest the Spanish giants see him as a long-term option to bolster their backline. Branthwaite has a contract at Everton until 2030, giving the club significant leverage in any potential negotiations.
Branthwaite’s importance to Everton
This development lands at a delicate time for the Toffees. David Moyes has already highlighted the thinness of his squad after a chaotic summer transfer window. Branthwaite is widely regarded as Everton’s most valuable outfield player when fit, offering pace, physicality and composure that few in the Premier League can match. His return from a series of hamstring issues has been pivotal to the team’s unbeaten start across competitions.
Everton fans will recall previous interest from Manchester United, Tottenham and even Liverpool in recent windows. Those links underscored his rapid rise after breaking through in 2023-24, when he earned his first England cap and swept the club’s end-of-season awards. A sale would bring substantial funds, yet losing such a cornerstone defender mid-season could derail the positive momentum Moyes has built.
England call-up adds to the buzz
Branthwaite’s form has also earned him a recall to the England squad for the upcoming Nations League fixtures. Thomas Tuchel named the 26-man group today, with the defender included alongside the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Cole Palmer. It marks a significant step forward after injury setbacks limited his international opportunities since his debut in 2024.
For supporters, the Real Madrid interest represents both opportunity and anxiety. A £80m fee would be transformative financially, but Branthwaite’s presence on the pitch has been central to Everton’s defensive solidity. With the team sitting ninth in the Premier League and facing Ipswich this weekend, maintaining stability around key assets like the young centre-back remains vital.