Opinion: Ancelotti hit the jackpot signing as Everton talent’s price rocketed by more than 5 times

Over the past decade or so, Everton’s ability to acquire talented youth players has been highly praised. There have been several successful stories of players who have either shaped the current first team or have been sold for a significant profit, including John Stones, Mason Holgate, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin. However, the club’s next rising star might be quietly exceeding the achievements of those before him while on loan, writes the FFC.

Jarrad Branthwaite, a towering 20-year-old center-back, joined Everton from Carlisle United in 2020 with all the necessary attributes to become an excellent player at the highest level. Despite his size of 6’5″, he retained impressive speed, which he had demonstrated at his childhood club. Branthwaite went on to make a few first-team appearances for Everton, including scoring a goal at Stamford Bridge, before being loaned out to Eredivisie to develop his ball-playing skills.

Now back at Everton and eager to compete for a consistent spot in Sean Dyche’s team, Branthwaite’s rise to the top of the game has been nothing short of remarkable. After being acquired for a modest sum of £1m, it is not surprising that Jarrad Branthwaite’s value has skyrocketed over the last three years. With 13 first-team appearances for Everton and an average Sofascore rating of 7.01 this season while on loan in the Netherlands, it is evident that Branthwaite has become a valuable asset for any European club. Consequently, he has attracted interest from Manchester United and arch-rivals Liverpool, further highlighting his impressive rise.

This loan spell has significantly impacted not only Branthwaite’s standing within the game but also his value. According to Transfermarkt, his value has risen from €3m to €7m in just four months, marking a 510% increase from his initial purchase in 2020