Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite is interested in a January move to Newcastle United with Eddie Howe now interested.

Newcastle United are keen on snapping up Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite in the January transfer window.

That is according to Football Transfers, who claim that Newcastle are interested in signing Branthwaite.

Everton's form seems to have picked up of late, winning four of their last seven Premier League games.

Branthwaite has been vital to that form, striking up a strong defensive partnership with James Tarkowski.

Newcastle United keen on Everton star Jarrad Branthwaite Football Transfers now suggest that Newcastle are looking to lure Branthwaite away from Everton in January.

It's stated that boss Eddie Howe is a 'particularly big fan' of Branthwaite and wants him at Newcastle.

The report even claims that Branthwaite would be interested in joining Newcastle if the deal was on the table.

Newcastle allegedly feel that Branthwaite is the ideal successor to Fabian Schar in the long term but Howe wants to accelerate the move.

Howe seemingly fears major competition for Branthwaite next summer amid claims that Manchester United are interested.

The 21-year-old is in fine form right now and Everton should be looking to build around him rather than sell him.

If Everton are going to cash in, it would surely be at the end of the season rather than in January.

Additionally, signing Branthwaite to partner Sven Botman in the long term would be slightly strange.

It's not often we see two left-footed centre backs starting together but that would seemingly be the plan if Branthwaite joins Newcastle.

Newcastle may well like Branthwaite, but we would be stunned if the defender - hailed as 'really good' by John Aldridge - made the move to Tyneside in January.