Tottenham Hotspur have joined Manchester United in the race to sign Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite in 2024.
Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite is now one of the names on Tottenham Hotspur’s wish list for a new defender.
That is according to the Daily Mail, who claim that Branthwaite is wanted by Spurs ahead of the January transfer window.
Tottenham have seen Micky van de Ven go down with an injury and he isn’t expected to return until early 2024.
The Dutchman’s injury exposes a lack of depth in terms of left-sided centre backs and another option is expected to arrive in January.
Tottenham want Jarrad Branthwaite
A homegrown signing would be ideal for Tottenham and Bournemouth’s Lloyd Kelly is thought to be a key target.
Reports from the Daily Mail now suggest that Tottenham are also interested in signing Everton star Jarrad Branthwaite.
It’s suggested that Tottenham held a meeting this week in order to identify potential centre back signings.
Branthwaite is one of them having impressed this season with pundit John Aldridge praising him as ‘really good’.
The 21-year-old is a huge presence at 6ft 5in tall and is a natural left-footer, so we can understand Tottenham’s interest.
The Mail noted in October that Manchester United are very keen on Branthwaite, with his displays this season attracting enormous interest.
Everton’s 10-point deduction and well-publicised financial issues mean offers for Branthwaite are inevitable, whether he wants to leave is another matter…
Branthwaite may be hesitant to join Tottenham or United
Branthwaite is certainly an impressive left-sided centre back, and those players are in high demand in the modern game.
Both United and Tottenham already have left-footed centre backs, and they paid good money for them.
Lisandro Martinez followed Erik ten Hag from Ajax in 2022 before Spurs invested in Van de Ven over the summer.
Both players are out injured right now and we can understand United and Tottenham wanting natural competition.
Branthwaite would be forgiven for being a little hesitant though as he could find himself on the bench once Martinez and Van de Ven are fit.
The former Carlisle United man is thriving with regular first-team football at Everton right now and he may risk giving that up by joining United or Tottenham in 2024.
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