'Monster' - Arsenal join Real Madrid and Manchester United in targeting £75m starlet

Arsenal are reportedly the latest in an ever-growing list of suitors interested in the Everton starlet Jarrad Branthwaite. The 21-year-old has caught the eye of several of Europe's great clubs with the Gunners now added to the mix, according to TBR Football.

LondonWorld's sister site LiverpoolWorld recently ranked the player 8/10 for his performance during the 1-1 draw versus Brighton. Not only did he score the Toffees only goal, but Branthwaite went on to make a crucial, perfectly-timed tackle in the box to deny the Seagulls any further goals.

Following his latest outing for Sean Dyche's side, the centre-back received phenomenal praise from the former England and Arsenal legend Ian Wright. The 60-year-old former forward, who played for the Gunners from 1991-1998, said it should not be long before we see the young Everton man wearing the Three Lions badge.

Speaking on Wrighty's House, the ex-Gunners icon said of the rising star: "I would like to give flowers to Jarrad Branthwaite. I believe now he will be in the next England squad. He has got everything.

"You watch how he plays, left-sided as well, he plays out well. Very brave. And then when you listen to his interview he sounds like somebody who is like 'yeah, I'm here'.

"He should be called up. And no only that, he should be played. Let's have a look at him. I'm telling you we have a monster on our hands at left-sided centre-half. A monster."

Branthwaite has been a key figure in Dyche's set-up at Goodison Park and has attracted attention from Real Madrid, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United following his performances this season. With the La Liga side now involved in the transfer story, the reports from TBR Football suggest that the Toffees would be likely to demand around £75 million for their defender.

With such a figure in mind, it seems unlikely the Gunners would be able to battle against Real Madrid, especially when considering they already have William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes taking on the central defence roles. The pair have formed a formidable partnership over the past year, indicating that if Branthwaite were to join the Emirates, he may not be the first option on the pitch.

Born in Carlisle, the 21-year-old defender back his career with Carlisle United before moving down to the Merseyside club in 2020. He has since been sent out on loan to Blackburn Rovers and PSV before enjoying his breakout season with the Toffees this year.

The centre-back has also made six U21 England appearances, with the former Crystal Palace and Gunners striker hoping it may not be long before he is seen making his senior debut.