Jarrad Branthwaite has revealed he is still "absolutely open" to staying at PSV Eindhoven despite Ruud van Nistelrooy’s shock exit from the club.
The Everton defender spent the season on loan at the Dutch giants after agreeing to join the club last summer. Branthwaite arrived at the Philips Stadion having made 13 first-team appearances for the Blues, scoring once.
However, Branthwaite’s Goodison Park future has been up in the air for most of the season, with a number of figures at PSV revealing they would love to sign the centre-back permanently this summer. The 20-year-old has earned promising reviews for his performances in the Netherlands and has totted up 36 matches for PSV in all competitions this season.
One of those figures was former Manchester United forward Van Nistelrooy, who urged PSV back in February to sign the defender '"very quickly". However, the former Real Madrid star shocked the Dutch giants when he sensationally walked on the club before the end of the campaign, citing a "lack of support" from the board as his reasoning.
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But even though Van Nistelrooy is no longer at the helm at the Philips Stadion, Branthwaite, who is under contract at Goodison until 2025, would have no hesitation in returning to Eindhoven on a permanent basis this summer.
Speaking to Voetbal Primeur, he said: "I had very good experiences with Ruud. He is a great coach who clearly explains his vision to his team, making it clear to everyone what is expected of them.
"So that is very positive. An absolute great. That man lives and breathes football. He had so much experience."
Asked about his future, the England youth international said: "That is always difficult to say as a professional football player.
"I am under contract with Everton, so it is their right not to want to sell me, of course. I am absolutely open to staying at PSV, but the clubs have to decide together."
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