Jason Wilcox to use connections to help Man United sign Everton star Jarrad Branthwaite amid agent update

Everton youngster Jarrad Branthwaite has emerged as Manchester United's top transfer target, and their new football director Jason Wilcox is key to sealing the deal, according to the Sunday Mirror.

Everton are desperate to keep hold of 21-year-old Branthwaite, who has been one of their best players this season, but Jason Wilcox's imminent arrival at Old Trafford has given United "the edge" to land the £70 million-rated defender, according to the Mirror's Simon Mullock.

Branthwaite is Everton's "most coveted asset" who has become a regular for the Toffees this season, with 28 starts in their 31 Premier League matches and two goals drawing the attention of Gareth Southgate, who named the left-footed centre-back in his most recent England squad.

Mullock's report in the Mirror revealed that United's imminent arrival Wilcox, "has a close working relationship with Branthwaite’s agent David Reeves - and United believe his appointment will secure the instant bonus of helping them to attract Branthwaite to the club."

Financial fears may force Everton into Branthwaite sale

While he's been a cornerstone of Everton's bid to stay in the Premier League this season, Branthwaite's strong performances have not been able to lift the Toffees out of the mire thanks to a pair of points deductions for financial fair play breaches.

Ahead of their match against Chelsea on 15 April, Everton sit just two points and two places outside the relegation zone with two games in hand on most of the sides around them, but a total of eight docked points has certainly hindered their cause.

Appeals against these deductions are set for the end of May - after the season has finished - meaning that Branthwaite and his team-mates' futures are dependent on the outcome of these appeals, should Everton finish the campaign in the bottom three.

Branthwaite is the kind of young, talented player who could form the nucleus of a new-look Everton side in the new few years, but with £70 million on the table from Manchester United and the Toffees' own monetary woes showing no signs of slowing at present, turning down such an offer for their prize defender would not be the wisest of moves.

In other Everton news, the third-party debt has now risen to over £500million as the Toffees have had to shell out an eight-figure payment as chaos ensues.

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