Michael Ball has called for Jarrad Branthwaite to reject an Everton exit this summer amid interest from Manchester United.

The young central defender has emerged as the top target for a number of clubs ahead of the summer window, with the Toffees admitting they need to make sales to aid their financial situation.

Reports suggest that United are preparing a £55m bid, but Ball told Liverpool Echo (21 May) that he believes those figures are “nowhere near” his true value and urged the club to include a sell-on clause in any deal as he could become a £200m player in the future.

“As part of my job right now as a sports agency owner, I speak to clubs and they all want a striker who can score 40 goals and they all want a left-sided centre-half,” he said. “We’ve let players go in the past who have been under-valued to hit financial targets and it’s held us back.

“Maguire had success at Leicester City behind him when Manchester United paid £85million for him but I reckon with Jarrad being left-sided – and actually comfortable with both feet – that’s an extra £25million premium in itself, you don’t get many like that. He’s strong, he’s physical, he’s fast but he also likes to play football the right way which the top teams want to do.

“Reports of offers for around £55million are way off in my opinion. We’ve seen left-backs go for £62million so it’s baffling to hear Branthwaite being talked about for less than that, the figures we’re hearing are nowhere near his true valuation.

“Also when players do move on, make sure you get a cut if they get transferred again with a sell-on fee. Can Everton think of the bigger picture if the likes of Branthwaite was sold to a Premier League rival but then ended up going to Real Madrid further down the line?

“He could go from being a £75million talent to £100million and who knows, in five years’ time he might be worth £200million? Everton need to protect themselves as much as possible in that respect.”

Everton must prepare for Jarrad Branthwaite transfer

Major sales are expected at Goodison Park this summer, with the club’s financial situation meaning something must happen before June 30.

But when it comes to the situation with Branthwaite they have to take a long-term view of things, even if they need a quick resolution.

His potential is huge and with the clubs that are interested in him, there is every chance that he could move on in the future for an even bigger fee than he leaves Everton for.

If that happens then the Toffees have to be in a position to profit from that, so a sell-on clause on top of any fee makes a lot of sense. It seems inevitable that he will move on, such is the clamour for left-sided centre-backs and that’s a blow for Sean Dyche.

But a big blow could be turned into a major triumph if the club can use the cash properly to rebuild the squad and plan for the future further, so it’s something that must be considered.

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