Everton boss Sean Dyche responds to Jarrad Branthwaite transfer links after $92m Liverpool claim

Everton manager Sean Dyche has admitted it is no surprise to see his center-back Jarrad Branthwaite, who returned from injury last weekend in the Blues' victory over Crystal Palace , linked with a transfer move away from Goodison Park.

Manchester United was strongly interested in the England international during the summer while Liverpool has been mentioned as a possible destination this week . It was reported by the Daily Mail earlier this week that the Reds could make a $92m (£70m/€83m) move for the 22-year-old though the ECHO has since played down that suggestion.

"I think I said in the summer that any player, it’s a worldwide market now, it’s not just about one player," Dyche said at a press conference earlier today. "The way the game changed, certainly in Europe, the transfer situation has opened up. It’s not a surprise good players are linked with other clubs. I said in the summer he’ll be staying here and he is so that’s good."

Asked about how the pending takeover by the Friedkin Group could affect the sale of Branthwaite, Dyche replied: "The club has a situation it is still looking upon. If new ownership goes through, that might change things financially but we don’t know that yet. We’ll just have to wait and see.

"I didn’t really speak to him about it [interest from United in the summer]. He’s still here. I’m not going to sit there and chat endlessly about stories in the paper which 99 per cent are not true so there’s no point. He seems fine other than being injured, which has been a blow to him, he’s been fine."

Liverpool.com says: Branthwaite would be a great addition to Liverpool but the chances of him coming straight from Goodison Park are slim. Like Anthony Gordon , he would probably have to move elsewhere first. In any case, Arne Slot already has a strong contingent including Virgil van Dijk , Ibrahima Konate, Jarell Quansah and Joe Gomez. It will be hard enough to find them game time, let alone anyone else on top of that, though Van Dijk, of course, is yet to sign a new contract.