Manchester United believe they can land Everton’s rising star Jarrad Branthwaite in a cut-price deal this summer, according to reports.
Branthwaite enjoyed a breakthrough 2023-24 season at Goodison Park, featuring in 35 league games for the Toffees as they avoided relegation with something to spare, despite being deducted eight points for breaching spending rules.
The 21-year-old is understood to be valued at around the £70m mark, but United feel they may be able to sign him for as little as £40m due to Everton’s financial woes, as reported by The Sun.
Everton desperately need to offload players this summer to balance their books, with their proposed takeover by 777 Partners set to fall through.
It has been reported that owner Farhad Moshiri must sell several of his first-team stars or risk putting the club into administration.
The likes of Jordan Pickford, Amadou Onana, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Dwight McNeil could all be moved on to raise funds.
And United part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe wants to take advantage of Everton’s money troubles by signing Branthwaite for a fee significantly below his asking price, with Everton finding themselves in a difficult bargaining position.
Centre back has been identified as a priority position for United to strengthen this summer after Erik ten Hag was unable to rely on a consistent partnership in 2023-24.
Lisandro Martinez missed the majority of the campaign through injury, while Harry Maguire and Raphael Varane suffered multiple fitness setbacks.
Varane will leave Old Trafford when his contract expires next month, but ended his three-year spell on a high by winning the FA Cup in his final game against Manchester City.
His imminent departure leaves the Red Devils short at the back, though, and United are keen to bring in Branthwaite to bolster their ranks.
Despite finding themselves in a relegation battle for much of the season, Everton ended the campaign with the fourth-best defensive record in the division, behind the top three of City, Arsenal and Liverpool.
Branthwaite played a major role in keeping things tight at the back and was rewarded earlier this month by being named in England’s provisional 33-man squad for Euro 2024.
He looks set to make his international debut when England play friendlies against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Iceland next week, providing him with the chance to secure his spot in Gareth Southgate’s final 26-man squad.
And a big summer move could follow, with United bidding to manoeuvre themselves into pole position to sign him.
If he does sign for the Premier League giants, it remains unclear as to whether he will be playing under Ten Hag next term, with United’s hierarchy still yet to make a final decision on his future.
Ten Hag was expected to be sacked after Saturday’s FA Cup final following a disappointing league campaign that saw his side finish down in eighth place.
But he could now hold on to his role after United pulled off a major shock at Wembley, with the club considering their options before making a final call on who they want in the dugout for the 2024-25 season.
