The Rumour Mill: Tier 3 Whispers Around Anfield
Liverpool are quietly planning for life after Virgil van Dijk, and the latest names linked with Anfield are raising eyebrows across Merseyside. According to reports from Football Insider and TEAMtalk, former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown claims Liverpool have placed Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite near the top of their target list for 2027.
Before fans start printing shirts, let's establish the credibility baseline. This is strictly Tier 3 territory. The claims stem from secondary scout quotes and aggregation outlets rather than Tier 1 beat reporters. Yet while the source tier warrants skepticism, the underlying squad logic is impossible to ignore.
Van Dijk is currently 35 years old and will turn 36 when his current contract expires in the summer of 2027. Liverpool's recruitment team knows they cannot delay defensive restructuring indefinitely. Finding a left-sided centre-back capable of filling that vacuum is now a top priority for manager Andoni Iraola.
The Branthwaite Profile: Tactical Fit and Local Rivalry
Branthwaite fits the physical prototype Liverpool usually target. At 24 years old, the England international offers aerial dominance, composure on the ball, and impressive recovery speed. His form this season helped Everton build an unbeaten opening run, earning him a recall to the national squad under Thomas Tuchel.
Tactically, Iraola requires his central defenders to cover vast spaces in transition. Branthwaite has shown the lateral mobility to handle that workload while operating as a left-sided centre-back. On paper, his profile matches Liverpool's tactical requirements seamlessly.
However, turning interest into a transfer is an entirely different matter. Everton treat Branthwaite as an indispensable asset. Following David Moyes' reappointment as manager in January 2025, the Toffees secured the defender on a long-term contract running through 2030.
Everton control all the cards and have zero financial appetite to deal with their cross-city rivals. It would take a record-breaking bid for Everton to even entertain negotiations. Direct transfers between Liverpool and Everton are historically rare, and this deal faces immense institutional resistance.
Furthermore, Liverpool are not the only interested party. Manchester United mounted a heavy push for Branthwaite in the summer of 2024 and retain active interest in the defender. Any potential bidding war would only drive his price tag higher.
There are also legitimate performance risks to consider. Branthwaite has dealt with periodic injury setbacks over recent campaigns. Spending a record fee on a player with a history of muscular issues carries clear downside for Liverpool's analytical transfer committee.
Alternative Targets: Schlotterbeck and the Araujo Clause
Because a deal for Branthwaite remains highly improbable, Liverpool are keeping multiple options open. Primary among them is Borussia Dortmund centre-back Nico Schlotterbeck. As Football365 detailed, Liverpool hold strong interest in the 26-year-old Germany international for the summer of 2027.
Schlotterbeck signed a contract extension with Dortmund in April 2026 that included a release clause. However, his progress hit a snag when he suffered a medial ankle ligament tear during the 2026 World Cup finals. He has recently returned to action, making two appearances for Dortmund and immediately regaining top form.
Neither Dortmund nor Schlotterbeck will consider a mid-season move in January. Liverpool view him as a long-term summer option, though his release clause makes him a far simpler deal to negotiate than Branthwaite.
Meanwhile, Liverpool already have a high-profile defender in the building in Ronald Araujo. The 27-year-old Uruguayan joined on loan from Barcelona in the summer with an option to buy for โฌ55million (ยฃ47m).
Araujo has made an instant impression under Iraola. Though naturally a centre-back, he was thrust into the starting lineup at right-back, helping secure a 2-0 win over Ipswich Town before setting up Dominik Szoboszlai's equalizer in a 2-1 victory over Atletico Madrid.
Iraola has publicly praised Araujo's work ethic and tactical versatility during his early weeks at Anfield.
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Despite Iraola's satisfaction, as the Mirror reported, Fenway Sports Group (FSG) harbors major doubts about triggering the ยฃ47m buy option. FSG's ownership model prioritizes younger players with high resale value. Paying ยฃ47m for a player who turns 28 in March 2027 runs directly counter to their standard recruitment philosophy.
Squad Turnover: Chiesa Out, Alisson Frozen
The defensive search comes amid a wider squad transition under Iraola. Italian winger Federico Chiesa appears headed for the exit door after failing to establish himself at Anfield. Having arrived from Juventus in summer 2024 for ยฃ10m plus add-ons, Chiesa has managed just five goals in 50 appearances while battling recurring fitness troubles.
As reports in Italy indicate, CalcioMercato claims Iraola and Chiesa have mutually agreed to a January split. Liverpool want to recover at least โฌ15 million from his sale to offset his hefty โฌ7m net annual salary. Napoli and Inter Milan are closely monitoring his situation.
A similar holding pattern exists in goal. Alisson Becker, who turns 34 next month, is in the final year of his deal after Liverpool activated a one-year extension earlier in 2026. Formal contract talks are frozen, with long-term successors Giorgi Mamardashvili and Lucca Brughmans ready in the wings. A free transfer departure in summer 2027 remains a distinct possibility.
Probability Assessment and Expected Timeline
Probability Rating: Low (15% 'Here We Go' Chance)
The probability of Jarrad Branthwaite moving directly from Everton to Liverpool in 2027 remains extremely low. Everton's firm stance, a contract lasting until 2030, and the fierce local rivalry present massive hurdles. Unless Branthwaite submits a formal transfer request or Liverpool submit an unprecedented financial package, this deal will not materialize.
Schlotterbeck represents a far more realistic option for summer 2027 due to his release clause structure. Araujo's permanent arrival depends entirely on whether FSG modify their strict financial criteria to satisfy Iraola's tactical preferences.
Expected Timeline: Summer 2027
No major central defensive movement will happen in January. Both Dortmund and Everton have shut the door on mid-season departures. Liverpool will evaluate Van Dijk's fitness and Araujo's performances over the remainder of the 2026/27 campaign before launching formal bids in June 2027.
Expected Impact if the Deal Goes Through
If Liverpool somehow pull off a deal for Branthwaite, it would solve their left-sided central defensive vacancy for the next decade. Pairing Branthwaite's physical dominance with Iraola's aggressive pressing system would secure a smooth post-Van Dijk transition.
However, overpaying for Branthwaite could restrict Liverpool's capacity to rebuild other areas of the squad. If Everton demand an exorbitant fee, pivoting to Schlotterbeck or triggering Araujo's option offers far better value for money.
