Everton have a huge summer up ahead, with David Moyes given the keys to the transfer chest as he looks to remould the Toffees squad to his own design.
After losing his first match back at the helm against Aston Villa in January, the distinguished Scotsman has restored the feel-good factor at Goodison Park, stretching an unbeaten streak to nine Premier League matches as the Merseyside derby at Anfield now looms large.
While the Blues are riding the crest of a wave at the moment, there’s little question that Everton need to fortify their ranks considerably if they are to compete at a higher level, having languished in the lower fathoms of the top flight over these past few years.
It’s been reported that new owners, The Friedkin Group, are willing to give him increased transfer powers as he fills Bramley Moore with exciting new parts.
However, outgoings are also possible, with Jarrad Branthwaite’s Everton future a hot topic of discussion once again.
Jarrad Branthwaite's Everton future
Branthwaite is into his second season as a first-team regular at Everton, previously completing a loan stint at PSV Eindhoven. Last term, talent scout Jacek Kulig described the 22-year-old as an “absolute monster.”
Framed at 6 foot 5 and with a strong-sinewed, no-nonsense style, Branthwaite is a real catch, and it was no surprise that Manchester United were warded off last summer.
Lodging a series of bids, the Red Devils were eventually deterred by Farhad Moshiri, who was resolute in his £75m demands. This is quite the figure, but Branthwaite has proved his worth over the past few years.
Matches (starts)
35 (35)
22 (20)
Goals
3
0
Assists
0
1
Clean sheets
12
7
Touches*
52.2
50.5
Pass completion
80%
82%
Dribble success
71%
75%
Ball recoveries*
5.2
3.1
Tackles + interceptions*
3.3
2.4
Clearances*
4.5
6.3
Duels (won)*
5.3 (68%)
3.5 (63%)
Of course, intrigue in the centre-half isn’t just going to disappear, and after being overlooked for Thomas Tuchel’s March England squad, he has been reported by Sky Sports to be considering his options.
Moyes will need to make some signings this summer to convince his defensive star to stay put as his second Everton era is staged. There’s one man in particular who has caught the eye of late and could be a wonderful addition.
Everton chasing new centre-back
Branthwaite has a strong partner in James Tarkowski, who is acting captain as the ageing Seamus Coleman makes only sporadic appearances.
But with Michael Keane set to depart when his contract expires in three months, it’s important that a talented new option is welcomed through the Bramley Moore gates.
Genoa’s Koni De Winter might be that man. As per Football Insider, the Belgian defender has been on Everton’s radar for a while and they have been informed that a £25m bid will be accepted this summer.
De Winter, 22, is also attracting attention from Wolves and Serie A leaders Inter Milan, but Everton will hope that Moyes’ pedigree and the chance to work alongside another rising star in Branthwaite could sway negotiations in the Blues’ favour.
What Koni De Winter would bring to Bramley Moore
Though it seems unlikely that Branthwaite will retire having devoted the span of his top-flight career to Everton, there’s no reason why he can’t be kept on the books for a few seasons more.
The England international will, however, want to receive bang for his own buck, and thus Moyes and incoming Director of Football Angus Kinnear will need to add players such as De Winter to the fold so that competing for a place in Europe becomes not so much a dream as a goal.
Having left Juventus’ ranks to join Genoa for €10m (roughly £8m) last summer after spending the 2023/24 season on loan at the Luigi Ferraris Stadium, De Winter has made steady progress, featuring 50 times in total.
This season alone, the 6 foot 2 star has bagged three goals in Serie A, denoting a tremendous aerial ability and innate incisiveness. Everton, physical and adept at using their noggins, could benefit from such a quality.
Indeed, as per FBref, he ranks among the top 2% of centre-backs in Serie A for goals scored, the top 4% for aerial duels won, the top 19% for clearances, and the top 16% for ball recoveries per 90.
Such goalscoring qualities and physical robustness have curiously seen Fiorentina’s Yerry Mina listed as one of his most comparable players by FBRef. Formerly of Everton, the Colombian has long been regarded as a high-class defender, just blighted by injuries throughout his career.
In August 2018, Everton signed the towering colossus from Barcelona for a £27m fee. He had thrived at the World Cup in Russia, scoring against England in the knockout stage.
Former Blues gaffer Marco Silva said that Mina was “unlucky” during his time at Goodison Park, only hitting 20+ Premier League starts in two of his five campaigns before departing on a free in 2023.
However, his leaping headers and ball-playing quality, forged in the famed furnaces of La Masia, really underscored the vision. Now, Moyes is looking to repeat a trick with De Winter – hopefully one which won’t be hampered by fitness problems.
Who knows, by bringing such an aerially adept player into the fold, hailed for his “unreal” progress by journalist Antonio Mango, it may even convince Branthwaite to stay put for a time yet.
For all the Englishman’s ability, he’s not yet mastered dominance in the skies. That is to say, Sofascore record that Branthwaite’s aerial duel success rate stands at just 53%.
Conversely, De Winter’s is a whopping 71% in Italy this term. You can see that by combining the contrasting skill sets, Moyes’ Everton might just go from strength to strength.
De Winter’s youth and modern-tailored skill set suggest he could be the perfect fit for an Everton side looking to adapt to new climes.
Partnering with Branthwaite for the long run, this truly could be a duo for the ages, leading Bramley Moore to the higher peaks of the Premier League and maybe even exploits overseas.
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