Carlisle United Braced For Bumper Transfer Bonus

Carlisle United could be set for a bumper bonus if two of the summer’s rumoured transfer deals comes off, according to the News and Star

The Cumbrians face a huge weekend as they prepare to take on League Two leaders Leyton Orient, knowing a win could lift them to second in the table. Whilst they have one eye on promotion this season, anything they seek to do in 2023/24 could be boosted by a couple of moves that are out of their control.

Manchester United keeper Dean Henderson has been the subject of interest from both Chelsea and Spurs according to reports, as well as his current loan club, Nottingham Forest. The 26-year-old moved to Manchester from Carlisle in 2011, but the Cumbrians do hold a future interest in him. That means if he does make a move, they’re likely to benefit, and for a multi-million-pound deal, that could mean a big six-figure sum for Paul Simpson’s side.

Henderson has a single cap for England and has spent considerable time out on loan, notably with Shrewsbury and Sheffield United, before his most recent switch to Forest. He’s played 18 times for them, as well as starting 13 Premier League matches for United, but appears to be out of favour and on the move.

Fans at Brunton Park will also be keeping a keen eye on the progress of Jarrad Branthwaite, the Everton defender currently on loan in the Eredivisie with PSV Eindhoven. The 20-year-old joined the Toffeemen in 2020 from Carlisle, but has spent this campaign on loan in the Netherlands, where he’s impressed. He’s represented England at Under 20 level, and it is believed the one-time European champions are keen on taking him on a permanent basis.

The talk from the Netherlands is a fee of around £10m, which might be enough to put them off. However, reports suggest he has been linked with Manchester United and Roma, and that could lead to a summer auction, which would be great for Simpson’s side. Branthwaite, a 6ft 5in, left-footed centre-back, recently had to pull out of the England Under 21 squad with an injury, but seems to have a big future in the game.

If either, or both moves happen, it could leave Paul Simpson with quite the war chest for next season, whether that is back in League One after an absence of nine seasons, or completing a decade of football in League Two.

Our View

Football clubs in League Two mostly have to survive on transfer fees, and sell-on clauses are hugely important. Carlisle are fighting at the top end of League Two, but promotion costs money and sustainable football clubs don’t have a lot to spend.

That’s why these transfers could be big news. Henderson’s is eyebrow-raising, in that it’s ten years since the Whitehaven native was with Carlisle. It shows the value of such clauses, especially for youth players, and if he does move it would be huge for Carlisle.

The same goes for Branthwaite, albeit in the shorter term. Of the two, he’s likely to command a big fee after impressing in Europe, and a healthy sell-on might just give the Cumbrians the edge if they’re fighting in League Two again next season.

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