Jarrad Branthwaite set to sign new five-year deal with Everton | OneFootball

Everton have yet to come alive in the summer transfer market, but they’re making some important moves ahead of next season.

According to The Times, the Toffees have managed to convince Jarrad Branthwaite to commit his long-term future to the club.

The highly-rated 23-year-old centre-back, who was hailed as a ‘specimen’ by former Everton gaffer Sean Dyche, is set to sign a new five-year deal with the club.

The new deal will ward off interest from the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea, and Tottenham Hotspur. It will also give Everton greater security over the defender’s future.

Branthwaite has two years left on his current deal, with an option for an additional year. However, Everton have decided to reward his steady improvement with a new contract and a pay rise.

Everton fended off strong interest from United last year, turning down two bids from the Red Devils, who were determined to lure Branthwaite to Old Trafford.

Tottenham and Chelsea have also been keeping an eye on the England international, but the Toffees have moved swiftly to secure a key part of their backline.

But convincing Branthwaite to commit his long-term future to the club’s project has been a bumpy ride.

It has taken months of behind-the-scenes work started by former director of football Kevin Thelwell.

Negotiations were eventually taken over by new chief executive Angus Kinnear and head of player trading Nick Hammond. Together, they’ve managed to close the deal.

Keeping Branthwaite despite strong interest from the biggest clubs in the country shows great determination from the Toffees.

They have repeatedly made it clear that they’re unwilling to sell one of their most valuable assets.

Kinnear made it clear that under the ownership of The Friedkin Group, Everton would resist any temptation to sell Branthwaite this summer.

The news of Branthwaite’s contract extension comes as veteran right-back Seamus Coleman agrees to another one-year deal.

Now entering his 17th season at the club, the 36-year-old remains a crucial part of the new-look team David Moyes wants to build at Hill Dickinson Stadium.