- The talented defender could be on his way to Old Trafford this summer
- Everton may be willing to sell, but only if United meet their valuation
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Everton have set their price for star player Jarrad Branthwaite, as Manchester United look to step-up their pursuit of the talented centre back and sign him before the end of June.
It’s understood the Blues do not want to let Branthwaite leave, however, and have set a £75 million valuation for United to meet, according to reports in the Liverpool Echo.
Old Trafford executives are believed to want finalise a deal for the 21-year-old prior to June 30, as they want to make several signings across key positions this summer.
The 21-year-old looked set to win a place in England’s 26-man squad for this year’s European Championship, but was a surprise omission by England manager Gareth Southgate .
This means United can sidestep transfer blocks on players called up for international duty, and feasibly land the Everton centre back early on this transfer window.
The Football Association will deny clubs, agents and players from making moves for players if they are selected for international duty, and this could’ve created issues for United who want to get a deal done quickly.
Branthwaite has impressed for Everton this domestic season, with many of the club’s fans considering him their breakout player of the year.
He has been playing with a groin issue that may require minor surgery in the near future, and this may have affected Southgate’s decision to include him in the England squad.
Southgate had handed him his international debut, in England’s 3-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina last Monday.
The fee may be considered a sticking point between the two clubs, but given the £80million for United paid for Harry Maguire in 2019, the £77million Manchester City paid for Josko Gvardiol, and Chelsea’s £75million splurge on Wesley Fofana, Everton will feel the £75million fee is justified for a player who is homegrown, left-footed, and contracted to the club until 2027.
It’s rumoured that Everton will be under pressure to sell a slew of star players this summer, as they look to comply with PSR rules. Club insiders have dismissed this claim, however, saying players can only leave if other clubs meet their valuations for a player, and the player themselves want to leave.
But the Toffees could be forced to sell high-value players to avoid falling foul of PSR financial rules again, after receiving two separate points deductions for offences last season.