Everton: Ineos update emerges in Manchester United hunt to sign Jarrad Branthwaite in summer
Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite is high on Ineos’ list of transfer targets as they prepare a summer overhaul at Manchester United, according to FootballTransfers.
The outlet reported on its website on Monday (11 March) that the Red Devils are eyeing the 21-year-old Toffees’ gem alongside Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise as they look to make changes to Erik ten Hag’s squad.
Manchester United have been known admirers of Branthwaite for a while, but those in charge at Ineos also believe he would be an ideal fit for a new era and project at Old Trafford and the Toffees could be forced to sell.
A fee of around £75million would likely see a deal completed amid Everton’s financial woes, but there is an expectation that it won’t only be Ten Hag’s side in the fight for his signature when the transfer window opens.
Will Jarrad Branthwaite leave Everton amid transfer interest from Manchester United?
The amount of uncertainty around Goodison Park may well make it very hard for Everton to keep Branthwaite beyond the end of the season, especially as 777 Partners’ takeover continues to wait for Premier League approval.
Dyche’s side opted to not include a relegation release clause in the 21-year-old’s latest contract on Merseyside and that will likely mean they will be able to sell the centre-back to the highest bidder no matter what happens this term.
Hopefully, the Blues will be able to do whatever they can to keep Branthwaite at Goodison as he has been one of the few bright sparks in an otherwise dreary Premier League season on and off the pitch for Dyche’s side.
Should the defender get a call-up to Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the March international fixtures, Everton may be able to get a bigger transfer fee and drive up his price ahead of a summer bidding war.
In other Everton news, Gary Lineker and Ian Wright have shared a “familiar” Dyche verdict live on talkSPORT
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