Everton star could land blockbuster Real Madrid move as Champions League winners eye-up £75m defender

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Everton have endured a dismal start to the season so far, but things could soon get even worse at Goodison Park.

Sat rock bottom of the Premier League after three games, fresh off the back of an embarrassing collapse against Bournemouth – Everton are seemingly in free-fall at the moment.

With a new stadium on the horizon, Toffees supporters entered the 2024/25 season with optimism, that belief however since been destroyed by the performances on the pitch.

Their poor start to the campaign has seen rumours surface that Everton manager Sean Dyche may soon be sacked, as potential new owner John Textor looks to replace the former Burnley man with Palmeiras boss Abel Ferreria.

Everton’s misery has also been compounded by the fact they have also lost a number of key stars in recent times with the latest of those being Amadou Onana who recently joined Aston Villa for £50m.

The Toffees however could soon lose another one of their key players, with Jarrad Branthwaite potentially heading for the exit door.

• READ MORE: Agents claim Sean Dyche held talks with £8.5m Everton target but he snubbed Toffees

Real Madrid target move for Jarrad Branthwaite

Branthwaite has been the subject of much transfer speculation over the past year, with Manchester United and even rivals Liverpool both having registered an interest in the defender – with the Red Devils even submitting an official bid.

United ultimately failed in their pursuit of the 22-year-old opting to sign Bayern Munich’s Matthijs de Ligt instead – potentially paving the way for another European giant to swoop in.

Real Madrid are now said to be eyeing up a move for Branthwaite, with the Champions League holders targeting a 2025 move for the centre-back.

That is according to GIVEMESPORT, who claim Carlo Ancelotti’s side have earmarked Branthwaite as a possible defensive target alongside Arsenal’s William Saliba and Benfica’s Antonio Silva.

HITC previously revealed that Madrid were keen on Branthwaite – and now again it seems that Los Galacticos remain firmly interested in the Evertonian.

Any move for the England international is likely to cost in the region of £75m, with Everton reportedly sticking firm on their asking price.

Have Everton already found their Branthwaite replacement in Jake O’Brien?

If Branthwaite is to depart Merseyside in 2025, many supporters will undoubtedly start to question who Everton are going to bring in to replace the former PSV loanee.

The Toffees however may have already purchased Branthwaite’s replacement, in the shape of new signing Jake O’Brien.

Signed from French side Lyon, O’Brien joined for Everton £16m back in July after impressing in Ligue 1.

With that being said, can O’Brien step up to the plate and fill the void of Branthwaite’s potential exit? Let’s take a look at the stats.

The pair do profile quite similarly but when comparing the two defenders, context such as style of play must be taken into account. For example, Lyon were a more ball-dominant side than Everton last season which will boost O’Brien’s passing stats and hamper his defensive numbers.

With that being said the stats do suggest O’Brien could step in and make an impact for the Toffees if Branthwaite does leave.