Everton have been revived by the return of veteran boss David Moyes this season after the Scottish landed back at Goodison Park in January.
With the club keen to avoid another relegation battle at the end of the campaign, Moyes was drafted in to replace Sean Dyche, 12 years after leaving Merseyside to take over from Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United.
Moyes’ immediate brief was to dodge the danger of dropping out of the Premier League for the first time in Everton’s history ahead of the club’s emotional move to their new home at Bramley Moore Dock this summer.
MORE: Bramley-Moore Dock to replace Goodison Park next season
The signs look positive that Moyes can drive the Toffees to a top half finish this season, something they have not achieved since 2021 under Carlo Ancelotti.
With top-flight safety almost secure, Moyes’ next task focuses securing the future of several key players, with center-back Jarrad Branthwaite a vital priority for the 61-year-old.
Jarrad Branthwaite’s Everton contract, transfer fee, stats
Branthwaite has emerged as a vital player for Everton in the last 18 months after being given his EPL debut by Ancelotti back in the 2019/20 season.
His development from there has been impressive, with a debut senior England call up in 2024, and a starting spot in the Toffees defence under Dyche and now Moyes.
That form has caught the eye of Moyes’ former employers at Old Trafford alongside rumours of a sensational swoop from Ancelotti to bring him to Real Madrid.
Branthwaite’s current Everton contract runs until 2027, but talks over a renewal had stalled under Dyche’s leadership, but the 22-year-old is more enthusiastic over a future with Moyes.
The Toffees demand for £75m [$95m] as a transfer fee is also a barrier but Everton will need to make a salary offer that reflects his new squad status.
Reports from Football Insider claim Everton have tabled a long-term extension to Branthwaite, including a £7.8m [$10m] annual salary which would make him the highest paid player in the club’s history.
Current top earners Jordan Pickford and Abdoulaye Doucoure are both on around £6.5m [$8.3m] and the proposal is a real signal of intent to Branthwaite to match the financial power in Manchester and Madrid.
