Everton could land ideal Branthwaite replacement in “humble” £43m-rated rock

This “humble” defender, valued at £43 million, might be Jarrad Branthwaite‘s ideal replacement.

Under Sean Dyche, Everton has amassed enough points to secure a spot in the top ten. The team has won the same amount of Premier League games as both Brighton & Hove Albion and West Ham United, who are vying for European spots.

The Toffees’ ten-point deduction doesn’t adequately reflect the reality that Everton would have been vying for one of the seven available European spots in the league if the club hadn’t been punished.

Nevertheless, with success comes more suitors for your players and Dyche’s side are now facing a battle to keep hold of star defender Jarrad Branthwaite, although the Merseyside club do have one name lined up as his replacement.

Everton transfer news – Federico Gatti

Even though Juventus defender Federico Gatti signed a new five-year contract deal at the end of October, Everton is reportedly keeping an eye on the defender’s progress with the Italian powerhouse and hasn’t given up hope of signing him in January, according to a report from Calciomercato earlier this week.

In an attempt to capture the Italy international center-half, Everton and other Premier League teams reached out to Juventus before to the summer transfer window. However, Juve have now committed the international player to a new, long-term deal.

Nevertheless, Dyche is clearly in the market for another centre-back, particularly since it has been reported that star defender Jarrad Branthwaite is a top target for Manchester United this winter as Erik ten Hag looks for options to shore up his leaky defence.

Losing Branthwaite would be a colossal blow for Everton as the ex-Carlisle United central defender has contributed massively to a defence that boasts the joint-fourth-fewest number of goals conceded this season.

Federico Gatti’s stats this season

Juventus have kept nine clean sheets in 15 matches this season in Serie A which is the second-most behind Inter Milan. Gatti has played in 13 of these matches, starting 12 alongside star defender Gleison Bremer.

Club captain Danilo has been left impressed with Gatti’s contribution to the team this season and even labelled the 25-year-old as a “humble boy” who has been “an example” to the rest of the squad in the current campaign. The reason for these comments is that Gatti was playing in the fourth tier of Italian football in 2020 and is now fighting for a league title with one of the biggest clubs in Europe.

One area that sets Gatti apart from the rest of the defenders in Italian football is his threatening nature inside the penalty area. In 13 league appearances, the ex-Frosinone man has scored three goals. Only Dusan Vlahovic and Federico Chiesa have managed more this term for the Bianconeri.