EXCLUSIVE: Everton eye Luton Town defender as Branthwaite pushes for Man Utd move

Steve Kay

Updated: 6 May 2024 12:56 BST
3 min read

Everton have joined Crystal Palace in closely monitoring the developments surrounding Luton Town's Tenden Mengi ahead of the summer transfer window, FootballTransfers understands.

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The 22-year-old centre-back has emerged as a prime target for the Toffees as they consider potential replacements for some of their defenders, with both Manchester United and Newcastle showing interest in Jarred Branthwaite as exclusively revealed in March.

FootballTransfers understands that Branthwaite is pushing to leave Everton in the summer and the Merseyside club are looking at alternatives.

Sources close to the situation inform us that Mengi is likely to depart Luton Town at the conclusion of the current season. The young defender has also attracted interest from abroad, with Bayer Leverkusen keeping a keen eye on him since the January transfer window when the Bundesliga champions were anticipating the departure of Jonathan Tah.

Mengi, who made his professional debut with Man Utd, had wanted to leave at that point but Hatters manager Rob Edwards intervened, holding discussions with the England U21 player and the club's chief executive. Edwards expressed his reluctance to part ways with Mengi mid-season, particularly given the uncertain future of the club amid a relegation battle.

How much is Tenden Mengi worth?

It is understood that Edwards assured Mengi that his future at Luton Town would be revisited at the end of the season, contingent upon the club's Premier League status - the club currently sit in 18th place and two points off safety with two games to play. Should Luton face relegation, Mengi's departure looks likely.

Meanwhile, Everton are bracing for the exit of Branthwaite, who is thought to be their biggest asset.

© IMAGO - Jarrad Branthwaite could leave Everton this summer

As they battle Profit and Sustainability concerns, it’s understood that the Toffees are looking to offload some of their key stars in the summer transfer window, with their young centre-back and Amadou Onana linked with moves away from Goodison Park.

FootballTransfers’ Expected Transfer Value (ETV) algorithim ranks Mengi at €4.1m.