Jarrad Branthwaite responds to Man Utd and Real Madrid transfer links
- Branthwaite hugely impressive for Everton this season and recently called up by England
- 21-year-old's contract at Goodison Park runs until 2027
- Manchester United and Real Madrid admirers of Branthwaite's talent
Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite, who has attracted interest from Manchester United and Real Madrid, insists he's blocking out the noise surrounding his future.
The 21-year-old has been hugely impressive this season, standing tall in a Toffees side that is battling against relegation after a six-point deduction for breaching Premier League Profit and Sustainability rules.
Branthwaite's individual form earned him a first call-up to England's senior squad for the March internationals, but it's his long-term future that has dominated gossip columns of late - 90min previously revealing that both Man Utd and Real Madrid, managed by former Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti, are admirers of his talents.
His contract at Goodison Park runs until 2027 after fresh terms were penned in October and Everton are expected to demand upwards of £70m if Branthwaite is to leave - that is if they're able to stave off relegation.
But when asked about his future in the aftermath of the win over Burnley, Branthwaite revealed he's determined to ignore the rumours in order to focus on helping Everton achieve their goals.
"You have just got to block it all out. I think if you focus on the outside stuff, you get distracted from what you need to do on the pitch," he said. "For me now, until the end of the season, I am just focussed on winning games for Everton Football Club."
Branthwaite has an outside chance of making England's Euro 2024 squad this summer, though Gareth Southgate's decision not to use him against Brazil and Belgium is perhaps indicative of his current standing in the centre-back pecking order.
Nevertheless, Branthwaite says he'll be doing all he can to impress between now and the end of the season in order to board the plane to Germany in June.
"It makes you want it even more to show how well you can perform on the pitch," he said. "I have got to continue doing that until the end of the season.
"I think if you perform well for your club, then you leave a question for the manager at the end of the season, and I think for me it is just focusing on playing for Everton and winning as many games as I can."
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