Jarrad Branthwaite has signed a new long-term contract with amid links to and .
The promising young defender was first linked with United over the summer, and then again this week with .
City were also said to be keeping tabs on the centre-back who helped win the U21 Euros over the summer.
However, any move for Branthwaite has just become more unlikely – and more expensive – after it was announced on Friday that he had penned a new deal that will keep him at Everton until 2027.
‘The stature of the Club, how much of a family it is at Everton and how I just love playing here in front of the fans were key reasons for me signing,’ the 21-year-old told .
‘To sign this new contract was to show the commitment I have for the Club and show how much it means to me to play for Everton. Since I joined, I’ve felt a connection with the Club.
‘The fans have been really good with me. For the first game I played, the cheer I got when my name was read out just gave me massive confidence to go out there and play my best game.
‘When the manager [Sean Dyche] has full confidence in you, it makes you feel like you’re welcome here and I know I can go on the pitch when the manager puts me out there and he has full belief in me. It’s a massive factor in signing the contract.’
Branthwaite, who enjoyed a breakthrough season on loan at PSV in 2022/23, was left on the bench for three of the Toffees’ first four games, but is now appears to be a mainstay in the side.
Performances and results have improved as a result but Everton still remain in a relegation battle, with the club 16th in the table with just four points ahead of Saturday’s clash against fellow strugglers Bournemouth.
United meanwhile have other centre-back targets in mind with Lisandro Martinez set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines, including Nice star Jean-Clair Tobido and Antonio Silva of Benfica.
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