Liverpool 'prepare £70m bid' for Jarrad Branthwaite in blockbuster Everton transfer raid

Liverpool are reportedly preparing a surprise bid for Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite ahead of next week’s transfer deadline. Arne Slot is yet to welcome any new players to his squad, with Liverpool the only Premier League club still waiting to make their first summer signing.

The Reds have already been linked with a number of potential defensive targets, including the likes of Piero Hincapie, Murillo and Goncalo Inacio. However, it seems they have identified Branthwaite as their preferred choice with an audacious swoop on the cards.

Liverpool are willing to offer Everton an initial fee of £63million in exchange for Branthwaite’s signature, according to The Sun. It is said that another £7m in potential add-ons would take the full value of the deal up to around £70m.

Branthwaite is reportedly open to the idea of moving across Stanley Park and is aware that Liverpool would be able to offer him a remarkable pay rise. He would also be spared the trouble of relocating to a different part of the country.

Liverpool are said to be growing in confidence that a deal can be done with Everton in the final week of the transfer window. Slot is believed to be a huge admirer of Branthwaite, who was unfortunate to be left out of the England squad for the Euros.

However, the prospect of Everton agreeing to sell their best player to their fiercest rivals would appear to be slim at best. They would almost certainly face a significant backlash from their own supporters and would have little time to sign an adequate replacement.

Abel Xavier was the last player to cross the Merseyside divide when he joined Liverpool directly from Everton in 2002. It remains to be seen if Branthwaite will follow suit by moving to the red half of the city before the window slams shut on Friday.

The 22-year-old was linked with a move to Manchester United during the summer break but nothing materialised and he ended up staying at Goodison Park. The Red Devils reportedly saw multiple bids rejected by Everton, who were unwilling to let him leave.

Branthwaite remains tied down to the Toffees until the summer of 2027 and is reportedly earning around £60,000 per week. He recently underwent surgery on a groin injury, causing him to miss the entirety of pre-season as well as Everton’s opening game against Brighton.