'Serious' Everton transfer update emerges on possible Branthwaite replacement - report

Everton are facing “serious competition” from Ipswich Town in the hunt for Jacob Greaves this summer, according to The Telegraph.

James Ducker and Mike McGrath reported for the paper’s website on 18 June that the newly-promoted side are after the Hull City defender as Kieran McKenna has made him the number one priority in the transfer market.

He is set to be backed for signings this summer at Portman Road while Sean Dyche will reportedly look to find a replacement if Jarrad Branthwaite leaves Goodison Park.

Manchester United are bidding for the England international, although a first lowball offer was rejected [Liverpool Echo, 14 June].

But if he were to leave there is now a major threat to the Toffees boss’ chances of bringing in Greaves, 23, in his place.

Hull City man linked to Manchester United push for Everton star

The priority for Everton will be not to lose Branthwaite and therefore likely make a pursuit of Greaves unnecessary.

Dyche would probably like to bring in the Hull centre-back anyway, but unless a Ben Godfrey departure generates a decent amount of money it might be unrealistic this summer, especially now that Ipswich could be bidding against the Toffees and pushing the price higher.

Although Branthwaite and James Tarkowski are a solid starting centre-back partnership but Michael Keane behind them is a long way from the player he once was, while Godfrey has rejected contract extensions and seems likely to leave [HITC, 11 June], and Mason Holgate surely needs to as well.

A potential Amadou Onana sale looks to be gaining momentum after a series of approaches for the Belgium international midfielder [The Times, 14 June], and if the Toffees are offered his asking price it should guard against losing Branthwaite.

Although the profit and sustainability pressures appear not to be as major as believed in some quarters [David Ornstein, 18 June] after cost-cutting measures were implemented at Goodison Park it remains to be seen how much of any transfer fees are made available to spend on new signings.

At least some looks to have already been made available as Dyche seems to be closing in on his first addition of the summer, but whether there is a budget to even consider Greaves without high-profile departures may be a doubt.

In other Everton news, the Toffees takeover situation has now reached an important turning point.

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