David Moyes insists Everton ‘hold all the cards ‘on Jarrad Branthwaite’s future.
Branthwaite continues to be linked with a move away from Goodison Park despite Manchester United seeing successive offers for him rejected last summer.
The England international signed a four-year contract renewal with the Blues in October 2023 which contains the option of extending by an additional 12 months.
Moyes saw a number of prized assets sacrificed during his first spell with the club as Wayne Rooney, Mikel Arteta and Joleon Lescott left for Premier League rivals.
But the Everton manager believes that Branthwaite’s current deal only serves to strengthen their hand in retaining the services of their highly rated centre-back.
“Good players will always be linked with moves away, especially good young players,” said Moyes.
“But you have to remember Jarrad’s got a three-year contract left. He’s got two years and a year’s option.
“So if anything, Everton hold all the cards regarding that player.
“But I have to also say over the journey I’ve had over many years at Everton ,we’ve had to sell different players from Wayne Rooney to Mikel Arteta to Joleon Lescott.
“Apart from being a football manager, especially at certain clubs you have to sell on the journey to try and build as well.
“But I wouldn’t think that Jarrad one of the players I would want to lose, that’s for sure.”