Carlisle United would earn “significant” cash from a big-money Jarrad Branthwaite move, Blues officials have confirmed.
And should Everton’s ex-United star make a lucrative transfer it would enable his first club to make strides with some of their big off-field plans.
That position was confirmed by chief executive Nigel Clibbens at a fans’ forum.
The United director stressed that a potential sell-on windfall from a Branthwaite transfer would benefit the club in a more significant way than some previous moves involving former Carlisle academy stars.
“I’ve said in the past, whereas [in] the deals for James Trafford and Dean Henderson [who both made Premier League moves last summer], the sell-ons we would get from those weren’t transformational for the club, if Jarrad continues to develop and goes for the sort of money that the media are speculating about, that would bring a significant amount of money into this club, which would allow it to deliver on the plans that we need to do,” said Clibbens.
“We’ve got a lot of catching up to do. We don’t need the money to do what [the owners] have talked about, but it will help, and it will give us the platform to catch up and do things we’ve been unable to do for a very long time.”
Branthwaite has starred for Everton in the Premier League this season as well as captaining England Under-21s, and the Wigton defender has been tipped for a full international call-up.
Reports this week said Manchester United are at the forefront of the race to sign Branthwaite in the summer.
Asked at the south Cumbrian supporters’ club forum in Kendal to elaborate on how United have benefited and could further benefit from Branthwaite’s move from Carlisle to Everton back in 2020, Clibbens added: “We’ve been receiving money from the sale of Jarrad basically ever since the first game he played.
“We received a payment on his debut, and we receive ongoing payments as he goes, based on the appearances that he makes.
“That will continue for some time if he stays at Everton – that’s a normal deal.”
Clibbens declined to comment on the size of United’s sell-on clause, saying that information was confidential as part of the deal with Everton for the home-grown Cumbrian star.
He added, though: “That’s a great example of the benefit of an academy player to a football club.”
United entertained Branthwaite’s mum Donna at the recent home game against Bolton Wanderers. Mrs Branthwaite also works for Revo Sports Management, the company that represents Jarrad whose agent is the ex-Carlisle captain David Reeves.
Nineties star Reeves was also at the Bolton game to watch two of his former clubs.
“Jarrad’s mum was in the boardroom at the last home game – it was great to see her come back. We were talking about how well he’s doing, not how much money he’s going to be transferred for,” added Clibbens.
“[We spoke about] the fact that we are really proud of him, and we watch every game he plays, and we’re cheering him on.
“That’s what Carlisle’s about. Good luck to Jarrad, long may he continue being a star and we can’t wait for him to play for England.”
Branthwaite himself is relishing the "brilliant feeling" of his first goal at Goodison Park.
The former Carlisle United defender, from Wigton, was Everton's hero on Saturday when he headed a last-gasp equaliser against Tottenham Hotspur.
It was the 21-year-old's first strike at the Toffees' home ground and came in what has so far proved a highly impressive Premier League season for Branthwaite.
"It's a brilliant feeling," he said.
"The atmosphere here was unbelievable and the fans pushed us over the line to get the equaliser."
Branthwaite had to wait for the goal to be confirmed thanks to a VAR check.
But the strike was allowed to stand as Everton secured a 2-2 draw.
Speaking to TNT Sports, he said: "I celebrated a bit much, and then when it went to VAR I was like, 'Oh no...'
"But I knew I'd held my run, and it's a nice feeling to get a goal at the end, and a crucial point for us."
The goal helped Everton maintain their bid to climb the table following points deductions.
"We know the quality we've got in the dressing room, the manager is pushing us every day and you can see where we'd be in the table without the points deduction," the former Carlisle academy star added.
A report by Football Insider this week said Man Utd were "leading the race" among the many clubs interested in Branthwaite.
Erik Ten Hag is said to be a long-time admirer of the big defender, who has also been linked with clubs such as Liverpool, Arsenal and Real Madrid.
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