Tottenham Hotspur are eyeing Everton star Jarrad Branthwaite to potentially replace Cristian Romero
It has been a season to forget for Tottenham Hotspur and their fans, with injuries having plagued all the good work Ange Postecoglou did in his first year at N17. The glut of injuries, illnesses and suspensions have compounded the Lilywhites’ struggles, leaving them 14th in the table.
One of the most notable absentees has been Cristian Romero. Spurs’ defensive wall, the Argentine has missed a lot of action this season due to a combination of hamstring and quadriceps injuries. It has been a frustrating campaign individually for him, and the centre-back’s prolonged absence has hurt Ange Postecoglou’s side massively. It has left a gaping hole in a backline already lacking stability, leadership and continuity.
Amidst the defensive disorder, there is fresh uncertainty surrounding the future of Cristian Romero. La Liga side Atletico Madrid have made the Tottenham star a defensive priority for the upcoming summer transfer window. The Hotspur chiefs, until now, have always wanted to keep hold of the 2022 World Cup winner, but if he fails to agree on a new contract by the end of the season, they will reportedly cash him in this summer.
Tottenham have already drawn up a shortlist of defensive targets to potentially replace Romero. According to a report from Spanish outlet Fichajes, Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite features in the shortlist of targets the North Londoners have formulated to sign as Romero’s replacement if he departs.
Jarrad Branthwaite has been one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League in the last 18 months. The 22-year-old has been a consistent performer for an Everton side that have narrowly avoided dropping from the top flight in the last two seasons. He has been a rock at the back, racking up 22 Premier League appearances.
The Toffees don’t want to lose Branthwaite as they view him as a key player for now as well as for the future. They are in line to hand the England international a new contract and extend his stay at Goodison Park.
Branthwaite has been a member of the Everton team that has battled against relegation in recent campaigns. So, if he is ambitious and wants to become a regular for England, the centre-back needs to push for a move away from the Merseyside club. And if Spurs do get a hint that the Carlisle-born talent is keen on a switch, Daniel Levy and Co. must go all out for him.
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This is because Branthwaite will ideally suit the transfer policy that the Lilywhites have adopted of signing high-potential young players that have the capacity to create an impact now but also add value in the long term. Thus, he’d be a good fit at White Hart Lane, someone who has the tools to replace Romero in Ange’s roster.
