Huddersfield Town, Cardiff City and Blackpool have joined the race to sign Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite, according to a report from The Daily Mail.
Everton will allow Branthwaite to leave on loan this summer in the hopes of gaining vital experience and regular playing time.
He has experience in the EFL already having played for Carlisle United in League Two before making the reported £1 million switch to Goodison Park and in a six-month loan spell at Blackburn Rovers in the 2020-21 campaign, playing 10 times in the Championship.
Everton decided against loaning out the 19-year-old last season and he provided back-up to Michael Keane, Yerry Mina and Mason Holgate. He played six times for the Toffees in the Premier League and twice in cup competitions.
He also filled in at left-back when needed and his versatility will stand him in good stead should he make the switch to the second tier in the coming weeks.
Huddersfield Town, Blackpool and Cardiff City have entered into the fold to sign the youngster and so he won’t be short of options this summer.
Who else is linked to Branthwaite?
The fellow Championship trio of Middlesbrough, Sunderland and Sheffield United were credited with an interest in Branthwaite initially, but it seems the trio now have further competition.
The initial report also claimed there was interest from overseas with PSV in the Netherlands and German outfit Schalke both keen to sign the teenager.
Back in April, there were reports stating that giants Manchester United were also keen to sign Branthwaite, although their interest seems to have cooled since.
