Middlesbrough, Sunderland and Sheffield United are all eyeing a loan move for Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite, according to a report from The Daily Mail [print edition, 25/06/22 pg. 110].
The Championship trio are all looking to bolster their options this summer, with hopes of achieving promotion back to the Premier League.
Whilst the transfer market offers a variety of options, the three clubs are also monitoring the Premier League loan market and have identified one player in particular to bring in on a temporary basis.
Everton are allowing centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite to leave on loan during this window, and this has put several sides on high alert.
Along with Middlesbrough, Sunderland and Sheffield United, Branthwaite is also attracting attention from several sides overseas.
Both PSV in the Netherlands and Schalke in Germany have expressed an interest. The latter loaned in fellow Everton defender Jonjoe Kenny during the 2019/20 campaign, and so do have connections with the Toffees.
Branthwaite does boast experience in the EFL and would be a solid addition to either of the sides mentioned.
He signed for Everton from League Two side Carlisle, where he had played 14 games before making the switch to Goodison Park.
The 19-year-old was also loaned out to Blackburn Rovers in the second tier in January 2021 and made 10 appearances in the league, helping them to a fifteenth placed finish in the table.
He remained at Everton last season and played eight times in all competitions. However, with the imminent arrival of Burnley centre-back James Tarkowski next month, it would seem Branthwaite is surplus to requirements, and so playing regularly will benefit all parties.
