Liverpool’s first summer signing set to upset two Premier League rivals

Jarrad Branthwaite, the center back for Everton, is reportedly expecting an offer from Liverpool after Man Utd refused to reach his asking price previously in the summer. After Jurgen Klopp left Anfield at the conclusion of the previous season, leaving Arne Slot with a strong roster, the Reds have not added anyone this summer. 

There continue to be some gaps in Slot's lineup, and many are worried about their center-back alternatives in the event that Ibrahima Konate or Virgil van Dijk miss any significant time. This summer, Liverpool has been connected to several center backs. One of the most recent rumors suggests that Piero Hincapie of Bayer Leverkusen is near the top of their want list. 

The Sun claims that England international Branthwaite, the center back for Everton, is "open to the move and wants to play for a higher-profile club," making him an unlikely target. In order to lure the center back over Stanley Park, Liverpool "wants to snatch" the defender from neighbors Everton during the summer and "will offer £63 million plus £7 million in add-ons."

Fabrizio Romano comments on Jarrad Branthwaite’s transfer saga

It is far more probable that the England international remains at Goodison Park for a further campaign rather than moving to the Red Devils or Liverpool, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano. Manchester United overlooked on signing Branthwaite previously in the summer after not succeeding to fulfill the Toffees’ estimation of the center-back. The Red Devils decided to sign Leny Yoro and Matthijs de Ligt instead of the English centre-back. 

Fabrizio Romano said, “I don’t think it’s going to happen, and for Liverpool at the moment I’m not aware of anything concrete, I think there is a good possibility for the player to stay at Everton one more season and then maybe move next summer. Everton are insisting that anyone who wants to sign the player has to pay something around £70m for Branthwaite, so it is going to be very difficult.”