Everton have reportedly made a new contract offer to Cumbrian defender Jarrad Branthwaite.

The former Carlisle United man, who has been a substitute in the Toffees' opening games of the season, has been the subject of persistent transfer speculation.

And despite keeping the 21-year-old waiting for his first-team chance this season, the Goodison Park club are said to be keen to ward off interest from elsewhere.

A report in MailPlus says Everton have made an "improved contract offer" to the Wigton star.

Branthwaite has been linked with clubs such as Manchester United, Liverpool and West Ham United in recent months.

It follows an impressive loan spell at PSV Eindhoven last season, with Branthwaite then going on to be part of England Under-21s' European Championship-winning squad in the summer.

Everton boss Sean Dyche has so far preferred other defenders such as Michael Keane and James Tarkowski in the Premier League so far.

But Everton have suffered back-to-back defeats in their opening two games, losing 1-0 at home to Fulham then 4-0 at Aston Villa.

Some Toffees fans have called on Dyche to give Branthwaite a chance after he was left on the bench in both games.

The defender, who left Carlisle for Everton in January 2020, is currently under contract at Goodison Park until the summer of 2025.

He has 13 first-team appearances to his name for the Merseyside club.