Jarrad Branthwaite hasn’t played a full Premier League season in two years. He’s 23, coming off a hamstring injury that limited him to just 10 appearances in 2025/26, and his current club, Everton, is openly willing to let him go for the right price. Yet somehow, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Bayern Munich are all circling — and the bidding war might start at £70 million.
According to a report from The Daily Mail, all three clubs have been tracking Branthwaite for months, with each viewing him as a solution to specific defensive gaps. For Bayern, the calculus is straightforward: Kim Min-jae’s future at the Allianz Arena is uncertain, and the German giants see Branthwaite as a direct replacement — young, left-footed, and already comfortable playing out from the back. For United, the situation is more layered. Harry Maguire is entering the final phase of his career, and Matthijs de Ligt has struggled to stay fit. The club’s long-standing interest in Branthwaite dates back to before his breakout at PSV Eindhoven during the 2022/23 season, and internal discussions have intensified recently. City’s interest is perhaps the most conditional. Ruben Dias has been linked with a move away, and if that happens, Branthwaite becomes a priority target for Pep Guardiola’s system.
The Injury Question
Branthwaite’s 2025/26 season was essentially lost to a hamstring issue that required surgery and months of rehabilitation. Before that, he had established himself as one of the Premier League’s most promising young center-backs — strong in duels, calm in possession, and surprisingly quick for a 6-foot-5 frame. But the injury record is now part of the conversation. Scouts from all three clubs have reportedly reviewed his medical history, and the consensus appears to be that the hamstring problem was a one-off, not a chronic issue. That belief is what keeps his valuation at £70 million rather than dropping into a discount bracket.
Everton, for their part, would prefer to keep him. The club has built its defensive identity around his partnership with James Tarkowski, and manager Sean Dyche has publicly praised Branthwaite’s professionalism during his recovery. But the financial reality at Goodison Park is well known — the club has operated under tight constraints, and a £70 million fee for a homegrown asset would provide significant relief. The team has not confirmed any offers, but sources close to the club indicate that a summer sale is viewed as likely if the right bid arrives.
What the Numbers Say
Branthwaite’s underlying metrics from the 2024/25 season — when he played 32 league matches — were elite for his age bracket. He ranked in the top 10% of Premier League defenders for aerial duel win rate, interceptions per 90, and successful long passes. His composure under pressure drew comparisons to John Stones early in his career, though Branthwaite is more physically aggressive. That profile explains why three of Europe’s biggest clubs are willing to wait on his recovery rather than pursue alternatives. Fans online have noted the irony: a player who barely featured last season could command a fee higher than what most clubs pay for established internationals.
Whether any of the three suitors will actually meet Everton’s asking price remains the defining question. United has other defensive targets on its list, including a potential move for a younger, cheaper option from the Championship. City might pivot if Dias stays. Bayern has also looked at alternatives in Serie A. But Branthwaite’s camp believes the interest is genuine and that a bidding war could drive the final figure even higher than £70 million. For now, all eyes are on how quickly he can get back on the pitch in preseason — because the moment he does, the clock starts ticking on one of the summer’s biggest deals.
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