Everton could find a suitable substitute for Branthwaite in the “humble” £43m-rated rock.

This “humble” £43m-rated defender could be Jarrad Branthwaite’s ideal successor.

Under Sean Dyche, Everton have amassed enough points this season to firmly establish themselves in the top ten, having won the same number of Premier League matches as both Brighton & Hove Albion and West Ham United, who are contending for European places.

The Toffees’ ten-point deduction does not reflect the reality that, had they not been punished, they would have been in contention for one of the league’s seven open European berths.

Nonetheless, success brings more suitors for your players, and Dyche’s team is now fighting to keep hold of standout defender Jarrad Branthwaite, despite the fact that the Merseyside club has one name lined up as his successor.

Federico Gatti, Everton transfer news

Everton are keeping eyes on Juventus defender Federico Gatti’s progress with the Italian giants and haven’t given up hope of signing him in January, according to a report from Calciomercato earlier this week. Gatti signed a new five-year contract deal at the end of October.

Everton was one of several Premier League clubs that approached Juventus in the run-up to the summer deadline in the hopes of signing the Italy international, but Juve have already signed him to a new long-term contract.

Nonetheless, Dyche is definitely looking for another center-back, especially given reports that star defender Jarrad Branthwaite is a major target for Manchester United this winter as Erik ten Hag looks for options to shore up his porous defense.

Losing Branthwaite would be a huge blow for Everton, as the ex-Carlisle United central defender has made a significant contribution to a defense that has conceded the joint-fourth-fewest goals this season.

This season’s stats for Federico Gatti

Juventus has kept nine clean sheets in 15 Serie A matches this season, which is second only to Inter Milan. Gatti has appeared in 13 of these games, including 12 starts with standout defender Gleison Bremer.

Gatti’s contribution to the team this season has impressed club captain Danilo, who has described the 25-year-old as a “humble boy” who has been “an example” to the rest of the squad. The basis for these remarks is because Gatti was playing in Italy’s fourth division in 2020 and is now competing for a league title with one of Europe’s major clubs.

Gatti’s dangerous nature within the penalty area distinguishes him from the rest of the Italian defenders. The ex-Frosinone man has three goals in 13 league outings. Only Dusan Vlahovic and Federico Chiesa have scored more goals for the Bianconeri this season.

Gatti’s market value has risen to £43 million as a result of his remarkable record with the Old Lady, up from £4 million a year ago, according to the CIES Football Observatory.

Furthermore, Gatti has outperformed Branthwaite in a variety of critical categories for a center-back.

Gatti is far more adept at playing out from the back, as evidenced by his superior record in terms of progressive passes and progressive carries, but that doesn’t mean he can’t also provide a brick wall defensively, as evidenced by his 69.7% aerials duels won per 90.

Having said that, Everton should still try to keep Branthwaite, but if the club is forced to accept a bid for him in January, the Toffees may look no farther than Gatti.