9 months ago
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Jamie Carragher has labelled Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite a ‘special’ talent with Manchester United weighing up a summer transfer swoop.
The 21-year-old has enjoyed a superb season at the heart of Sean Dyche’s defence with his performances winning him admirers at Old Trafford.
After a spell out on loan at PSV Eindhoven last season, playing under United legend Ruud van Nistelrooy, he was among the substitutes for Everton’s first two games of the season.
Since then, he has been ever-present in the starting XI, playing the full 90 in every game since barring the December win over Burnley where he served a suspension.
Chelsea, Arsenal and Real Madrid have been credited with interest in the 21-year-old but Manchester United and Tottenham are thought to be leading the race for his signature.
Liverpool legend Carragher has been blown away by Branwaithe’s ability to hold down a centre-half role at such a young age.
He told Sky Sports: ‘I think he is [special]. And what is really special as well is the amount of centre-backs we have in the Premier League aged 21 or under.
‘I remember being a young player going in myself at Liverpool and it’s an unforgiven position, these lads are still learning the game, they are going to make mistakes.
‘I had to go to full-back for the next three or four years and then go back to centre-back, so you can see the quality we have in the premier league.
‘Branthwaite has been outstanding, Murillo [of Nottingham Forest] I think has been outstanding. [Liverpool defender Jarell] Quansah who we know too.
‘But I think this lad [Branthwaite] has been pretty special and he’s a big part of why, in my eyes, Everton still have a great chance of staying up; him and his partnership with [James] Tarkowski.’
United are thought to be keen on bringing in a new centre-half this summer with doubts over the futures of Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans.
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