Everton: Harry Maguire, Raphael Varane updates as Manchester United chase Jarrad Branthwaite
Manchester United may sell both Raphael Varane and Harry Maguire in order to fund a move for Everton star Jarrad Branthwaite, according to The Mirror.
The paper reported via their website on 11 March that the two senior Old Trafford centre-backs could leave this summer, with the French World Cup winner “expected” to move on, while the Englishman’s future is “unclear” after a failed move to West Ham at the start of the season.
Branthwaite, 21, only signed a new Toffees deal in October which runs until 2027 but the club “could be forced to cash in on some of their prized assets” with the threat of a second points deduction lingering amid a “chaotic” campaign.
If the Englishman is to leave he is set to have a £75million asking price, and the two big names could be shifted out of Old Trafford to help bid for it.
Manchester United to sell two in hunt of Everton star?
The Toffees were themselves linked with a move for ex-Leicester man Maguire before interest was ruled out in the summer, and it is unlikely many Evertonians would be especially happy if any sort of swap materialised.
The England international’s £80m move to Old Trafford remains the most expensive ever for a defender, although there were certainly be a case for a Branthwaite sale to set a new record.
United reportedly want to knock down Everton’s asking price by a huge amount, so they might need to shed more than Varane and Maguire if they are to drum up funds to interest the decision-makers on Merseyside.
Sean Dyche doesn’t want the former PSV loanee going anywhere, and there won’t be many of the club’s fans who feel any different, so pending the takeover situation and the impact of a second points deduction it may be possible for the club to refuse all offers.
It is little surprise there is such strong interest in Branthwaite after he returned to Goodison Park to become one of the first names on the team sheet, but if possible he would certainly be more valuable as a cornerstone of the line up rather than a major saleable asset.
In other Everton news, Sky Sports have shared an update on the Toffees possible second points deduction amid major developments on “controversial” FFP rules.
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