- EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey
Real Madrid had scouts in attendance at Everton’s 2-0 Merseyside derby win against Liverpool at Goodison Park on Wednesday.
For all watching the game, Sean Dyche’s team delivered a stunning performance and entirely deserved the three points.
Everton were dominant from set-pieces and just looked stronger in their duels all over the park.
And as well as Dominic Calvert-Lewin typifying the performance, so did Jarrad Branthwaite at the back.
The 21-year-old has made remarkable progress this season, and looks well-positioned to compete for a spot in the England squad this summer.
That being said, TBR Football understands that Real Madrid were in attendance to watch Branthwaite yesterday ahead of a potential summer move.
Current Madrid manager and former Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti has inspired the interest.
Ancelotti handed the young defender his debut at Everton and has recommended Branthwaite to his bosses as they seek a new central defender.
Branthwaite isn’t the only name on Juni Calafat’s list, Madrid’s scouting supremo, and there’s also interest in Lille’s Leny Yoro and Benfica’s Antonio Silva.
Carlo Ancelotti is pushing Real Madrid bosses to consider Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite
It was previously reported that Everton would demand a fee of around £75m for Branthwaite in the near future, such is his talent.
However, following another superb display and goal to boot last night, that price tag must be rising by the game.
Similarly, if Everton do reluctantly end up selling Branthwaite this summer, they may prefer to wait until after the Euros, if they feel the defender could play a role.
Perhaps Harry Maguire and John Stones will be a difficult partnership to disrupt, one Gareth Southgate has trusted for so long, but the Everton defender can’t be far behind.
Either way, this summer will be a delicate one for Everton to navigate in regard to Branthwaite’s future.
The defender is so crucial to the progress that’s being gradually made under Dyche this season.
And whilst there’s no indication that Everton would be inclined to sell the 21-year-old right now, interest from Real Madrid could easily tempt any player.
All that being said, one journalist was amazed at what Everton fans were singing about Liverpool at full-time last night.
The post Exclusive: Real Madrid had scouts at Goodison Park monitoring £75m Everton player yesterday appeared first on TBR Football.
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