According daily mail, Liverpool they have joined manchester united in the race to sign Everton Defenseman Jarrad Branthwaite next year.
The England international was suggested to join Man United during the recent transfer window, but the Red Devils were unable to reach an agreement with Everton for his signature. They made multiple transfer offers for the highly-rated centre-back, but none of them came close to the asking price of £70m.
daily mail Report that Liverpool are now ready to hijack their pursuit of the 22-year-old and are willing to pay more than Everton want for the central defender. Furthermore, the Merseyside giants are prepared to make a transfer as early as January rather than waiting until next summer.
Excellent talent
The Reds have Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate as regular centre-backs, with Jarell Quansah and Joe Gomez as backup options. Gomez was widely expected to leave the Anfield giants in the summer and could depart in the next transfer window in search of regular minutes.
Gomez's departure would provide the platform for Liverpool to spend big on Branthwaite, who could be seen as a future successor to van Dijk. Branthwaite has the ability to play from the left and right center positions, but is most comfortable in the first of those positions. That's where van Dijk has established himself.
The Dutchman has entered the final year of his contract with Liverpool and, as things stand, there has been no progress on a contract extension. The Reds will want to retain the 33-year-old and the coming months could determine whether the club can find a breakthrough in a renewal with the Dutch international.
Either way, Branthwaite would be a tremendous signing for the Reds. He has an imposing presence with a good physique. The defender, who has been described as 'quite special' by Jamie Carragher, is also good at clearing his lines and doesn't shy away from making tackles. Should improve with age and experience.
