'I'd rather keep...' - Tony Bellew reacts to Everton exit reports live on talkSPORT

Everton fan and former world champion boxer Tony Bellew has given his assessment on the futures of Amadou Onana and Jarrad Branthwaite.

Speaking on talkSPORT with Dean Saunders and Jamie O’Hara (22 July, 09:25), Bellew said he’d prefer to keep Branthwaite over Onana as the “brilliant” Belgian edges closer to a transfer out of Goodison Park.

Onana will reportedly sign for Aston Villa for £50million as soon as Monday [Mundo Deportivo, 22 July], but Bellew argued that if losing him means the Toffees can keep Branthwaite, the deal is a no-brainer.

He said: “Amadou’s a top player, a really good player – physically he’s brilliant, he’s got absolutely everything.

“But if the money’s right it’s got to be done, because I’d rather keep Jarrad Branthwaite to be honest.

“The spine of our team is important, and Jarrad Branthwaite – does anyone understand how he didn’t go to the Euros?”

Everton fans will agree with Tony Bellew on Jarrad Branthwaite

If you spent a day outside Goodison Park and asked Blues fans who they’d rather retain for next season out of Onana and Branthwaite, the latter would be the most common answer by some distance.

Onana’s exit has seemed inevitable since before the transfer window opened, with a plethora of clubs interested and the midfielder himself discussing the prospect of moving to a ‘higher level’ [Het Laatste Nieuws, 30 May].

Branthwaite, on the other hand, is someone the Toffees are desperate to keep hold of, slapping a £70m price tag on his head amid the pursuit of Manchester United, who have already submitted two bids [Sky Sports, 15 July].

The £50m windfall brought in by Onana’s sale to Aston Villa, who have beaten United among other clubs to his signature, could be the difference in the Blues retaining their crown-jewel defender this summer.

Sean Dyche is already preparing to pull the trigger on several signings with the money brought in from Onana [Alan Myers, 21 July], but his main focus with Branthwaite will be ensuring that the 22-year-old remains at Goodison.

In other Everton news, Bellew also showered praise on manager Sean Dyche after the job he did last season.

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