Tottenham could involve Dele Alli deal to secure ‘fantastic’ Jarrad Branthwaite transfer from Everton
We’re delighted to welcome former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson as our exclusive columnist as each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium…
The “only” way that Tottenham could potentially sign Jarrad Branthwaite from Everton currently is to involve discussions over the Dele Alli deal, according to Paul Robinson.
Sky Sports reported on 7 December that the Toffees centre back is “high” on Spurs’ list of potential defensive reinforcements, and former England keeper Robinson admits he is a “fantastic” player.
But he doesn’t think a move in January would be possible for a player starting regularly in Sean Dyche’s side, unless they leverage their “negotiating power” amid talks to alter the terms of the deal which took Dele to Goodison Park two seasons ago [Mirror, 3 November] and requires Everton to pay £10million if he plays seven more times.
The BBC Sport pundit exclusively told Tottenham News: “It’s difficult to see how you would get a player who’s playing week-in and week-out at Everton out of the club in January at the moment.
“They don’t exactly have the financial resources or ability to go and sign other players.
“He’s become a mainstay at the centre of their defence. He’s a fantastic player, a great player, but the only other way they could work the deal is to involve the Dele Alli situation.
“Everton know they’re obviously due to pay Spurs more money if he plays games, which listen he doesn’t look like he’s going to play games, but there’s negotiating power from Tottenham’s point of view.
“That deal is in place. They could make that a lot more beneficial for Everton. They could ignore payments, wipe away payments etc. I don’t know how it’s structured exactly.
“But I can’t see Everton wanting to do business in January, especially not for a player who’s come into the frame late, he’s stood up this season and been counted, he’s been excellent at centre half.
“Before the points deduction, you look at the results that Everton were getting.
“I don’t think a deal is possible for him in January, I really don’t.”
It is no surprise that Tottenham like the look of Branthwaite, 21, as the giant youngster has all the makings of a Premier League star at the back and has become a key man for Dyche.
But unless Spurs are ready to cough up big money it is going to be very difficult to convince them to let go of the Englishman, given they are trying to come back from having 10 points deducted already.
The fallout from their profit and sustainability case has already damaged the prospects of reaching an agreement over Dele [Daily Mail, 20 November] so the situation is complicated enough to suggest a deal for Branthwaite is unlikely.
But it does represent a notable bargaining chip that the club currently has which other potential suitors don’t, so it perhaps keeps the door ajar for Daniel Levy.
In other Tottenham news, Roy Keane branded Spurs “shocking” as Gary Neville harshly singled out one man live on Sky Sports.