Everton could use £80m sale to capture Champions League runner-up centre-back

With the news that Everton will demand at least £80m for Jarrad Branthwaite, a potential replacement has been sourced.

The latest reports from the iPaper has claimed that Everton have received plenty of interest for the England defender and with their financial problems mounting, he may be a player who could be sold to help the club. Having just produced a brilliant breakout season, in which he signed a new deal, the club are in a strong position should offers come in.

As mentioned, an £80m fee has reportedly been set and previous interest from Manchester United hoped for a fee closer to £50m. Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United also hold an interest but they will be forced to pay big for his signature. Furthermore, with Carlisle set to receive up to 15% of any fee thanks to their sell-on-clause, Everton are mindful of getting as high a fee as possible.

If he goes, replacing him will be a difficult task. Especially given Mason Holgate and Michael Keane are both free to leave this summer if interest arrives. That would leave Sean Dyche with few options at the back. Hull City’s Jacob Greaves has been mentioned and as his side failed to achieve promotion, it could be a deal worth considering. However, the latest news revolves around former Tottenham defender Davinson Sanchez who was part of Mauricio Pochettino’s matchday squad for the Champions League defeat to Liverpool.

According to Caughtoffside, Fulham and West Ham are interested in the Galatasaray defender. Still only 27, Sanchez has accumulated a lot of experience across his time in England, Holland, Turkey and across his 58 caps for Colombia. A toe injury derailed his season after starting eight of the first 10 games but his side are poised to win the Turkish title on the final day as long as they avoid defeat - if they manage to do so they will break the 100-point barrier as well.

They managed to win the Turkish Super Cup earlier in the season and they managed to beat Manchester United at Old Trafford before eventually succumbing to a disappointing exit in the Europa League knockouts to Sparta Prague. Nevertheless, Sanchez has 143 appearances in the Premier League and would be a powerful and brave defender who would align with Dyche’s ethos at the back.