Mancity and England international defender already have a pre contract signed with Everton ahead of summer transfer window😳

Everton have always tended to be a fairly sturdy defensive unit, both in the days of Sean Dyche and David Moyes.

The Toffees are now in an inspired run of form which continued on Saturday with a 2-1 win at Selhurst Park against Crystal Palace (15 February).

The likes of Jarrad Branthwaite have shone this season, a fruitful reward for the Toffees for their robustness in the wake of heavy Manchester United interest in the England defender in the summer.

Everton must sell Branthwaite to acquire defender

Everton are interested in bulking out their defence with Burnley ace Maxime Esteve, according to Alan Nixon.

The journalist shared on his Patreon page (16 February) that Esteve is a target of David Moyes and the Toffees hierarchy following Burnley’s incredible defensive record in the Championship, but at a heavy condition.

For PSR reasons, Everton would be forced into sanctioning the sale of Branthwaite to free up adequate funds to prise Esteve from Turf Moor, along with another target in 16-year-old Rotherham United prospect Harrison Duncan.

Duncan has been described as “in the mould” of former star John Stones, and Branthwaite’s departure is likely to cover both signings, including around £30million for Esteve.

Branthwaite and Esteve are both 22 and have been rated extremely highly, resulting in the former earning his England debut last June under Gareth Southgate.

Moyes and the Toffees accept that the summer sale of Branthwaite would open the field to secure numerous defensive recruits.

Toffees eye Championship cherry-pick

Everton can safely assume they will no longer be under any threat of suffering relegation to the Championship this season, now 13 points clear of the drop zone following a fifth league match unbeaten on Saturday night.

Four of those have been wins and while the Toffees were relatively restricted by PSR in the winter transfer market, their solitary arrival Carlos Alcaraz did the business on his first start in South London.

Moyes has successfully cherry-picked from the second tier before, bringing Jarrod Bowen from Hull City to West Ham United five years ago, the now-Hammers captain flourishing for club and country.

Esteve could be the next on that path, with Burnley keeping a jaw-dropping 11 straight league clean sheets and counting – last conceding in the Championship on 21 December.

The centre-back joined the Clarets in 2024 from Montpellier in a loan which became permanent, having also featured in the French Olympic squad.