Mourinho ready to wreck Liverpool and Man Utd plans by snatching ‘complete’ Everton player

Roma manager Jose Mourinho

Man Utd and Liverpool both plan to scout a ‘complete’ Everton player later this week, though reports in Italy suggest they could both be beaten to the punch by Jose Mourinho and Roma.

It’s been a season to forget for Everton thus far, though not for one player in particular. Centre-half Jarrad Branthwaite was loaned out to Dutch side PSV Eindhoven in July and has embarked on a truly superb campaign in the Netherlands.

The 20-year-old is a mainstay in Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side and has completed the full 90 minutes in each of their last seven league matches. Branthwaite recently scored his second goal for PSV in their thumping 6-0 win over Groningen last weekend.

The Toffees defender was recently described as ‘very complete’ by manager Van Nistelrooy. 

“He is a great talent,” said the former Man Utd hitman. “The boy is 20, but he has a future.

“He is good on the ball, can play on the left or the right of centre-back because he is two-footed. He has height and speed, so he is very complete.”

Van Nistelrooy clearly likes what he’s seen and per the Mail, was behind PSV lodging two failed bids to turn Branthwaite’s loan deal permanent in January. The highest bid reportedly totalled around £15m.

Branthwaite’s exploits in the Netherlands have not gone unnoticed back in England. Indeed, the Mail added both Liverpool and Man Utd plan to scout the youngster during PSV’s Europa League clash with Sevilla on Thursday.

The defender is clearly making a good impression and also holds the added appeal of being left-footed.

At present, United’s only specialised left-footed centre-half is Lisandro Martinez. Liverpool, meanwhile do not boast a single left-footer among their senior centre-back options.

However, the Mail were keen to stress Jose Mourinho’s Roma were in the mix too and the latest from Italy talks up their chances of pouncing.

Mourinho can spoil Liverpool, Man Utd plans

Roma-centric website, giallorossi.net, report Mourinho has made it crystal clear to Roma’s chiefs he wants a new left-sided centre-back in the summer.

Director Tiago Pinto is already putting plans in place for a summer splurge and Branthwaite is the stand-out player they’ve identified at the heart of defence.

While Liverpool and United’s scouts are yet to see Branthwaite up close and personal, it’s reported Roma’s team ‘have been watching him for some time’. What’s more, it’s claimed he’s ‘impressed’ the club’s official on the numerous occasions he’s been watched.

The report curiously concludes by saying Everton value the player around the €3m mark at present.

That’s clearly not the case given Everton have already rejected a £15m offer for Branthwaite from PSV, per the Mail.

In any case, what is clear is the Toffees star is a man in demand and Roma are a credible challenger to Liverpool and Man Utd’s transfer chances.

Also in Roma’s favour is the fact Branthwaite would stand a far greater chance of featuring regularly if moving to Italy than to Anfield or Old Trafford.

READ MORE: Everton warned they face relegation if Sean Dyche keeps pinning hopes on return of injury-plagued star