Manchester United want to sign Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite in the summer transfer window and Old Trafford chiefs have taken a significant step towards gaining his signature
Manchester United have reached an agreement over personal terms with the representatives of top transfer target Jarrad Branthwaite – but still need to negotiate a fee with Everton.
Branthwaite, 21, is understood be top of United’s list of centre-back targets for Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s first transfer window as the club’s co-owner. The Everton star, who narrowly missed out on being part of England’s travelling squad for Euro 2024, enjoyed a breakout season at Goodison Park, becoming a stalwart in Sean Dyche’s defence following a productive loan spell with PSV Eindhoven.
United greatly admire Branthwaite’s qualities on the ball, in the air and the fact he’s two-footed – as well as being homegrown. That’s why Old Trafford chiefs would be willing to pay him a salary worth between £150,000 and £160,000 per week, the Times report, but a major hurdle remains.
Everton, it’s claimed, are demanding a £70million fee for the 21-year-old, who signed from Carlisle United as a teenage prospect in January 2020. Mirror Football has been told that the Toffees want to keep Branthwaite this summer and would only be willing to change their stance if they receive a mega offer.
Branthwaite’s club are, however, under pressure to get their finances in order before June 30, the deadline to stay in line with the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules for the 2023-24 season. Everton have already been docked points for failing to meet the league’s financial requirements on two occasions.
The Toffees would also have to pay Carlisle 15 per cent of whatever fee they receive for Branthwaite, who’s emerged as one of Europe’s most promising central defenders over the past 18 months. But the Cumbrian isn’t the only centre-back who United want to sign this summer, as the Red Devils are eyeing a swoop for Lille wonderkid Leny Yoro.
Yoro, 19, has been courted by Real Madrid in recent months and even attended their Champions League final victory over Borussia Dortmund at Wembley, although the European champions are yet to strike a deal with Lille. United and arch enemies Liverpool are waiting to pounce should the Frenchman’s move to Madrid collapse, with Paris Saint-Germain also interested.
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United are now focussed on their summer recruitment after determining the future of embattled manager Erik ten Hag. After leading the 20-time English champions to their lowest top-flight finish since 1990 and slumping to rock bottom of their Champions League group, Ten Hag was set to be axed by Ratcliffe and his fellow executives.
But after the Dutch boss produced a tactical masterclass to stun Manchester City in the FA Cup final, two-and-a-half weeks of deliberation followed. Senior United figures met with multiple managerial candidates during their protracted end-of-season review but they eventually decided to keep Ten Hag.
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