Jarrad Branthwaite stance on Everton exit emerges amid Manchester United transfer interest
Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite is happy to remain at Goodison Park amid interest from Manchester United, according to The Independent.
The outlet reported on its website on Thursday (30 May) that the Toffees have put a huge transfer fee on the 21-year-old’s head as they don’t want to see him leave Merseyside ahead of next season.
If Sean Dyche’s side were to allow Branthwaite to depart this summer, they would demand a fee that would make him one of the most expensive defenders in the world alongside the likes of Harry Maguire or Josko Gvardiol.
This comes amid reports that the Red Devils will discuss the Everton gem as a potential transfer target this summer, regardless of whether or not they decide to sack Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford [Sky Sports, 29 May].
Will Manchester United sign Jarrad Branthwaite during the summer transfer window at Old Trafford?
Everton may need to sell players this summer to balance the books and avoid any further punishment from the Premier League, but that doesn’t mean they will be willing to let players walk away from Goodison for nothing.
Branthwaite has quickly become one of the most promising young defenders in the English game and while he made a couple of errors this season, he has shown that he is more than capable of playing at the top level.
Any club that wants to buy him, including United, will have to foot an enormous bill to secure his signature and even then, it remains to be seen whether he would even be interested in making the move to Old Trafford.
Although the Red Devils are a massive club and therefore difficult to turn down, Branthwaite may feel that he can get a better move if he waits another 12 months. Maybe then, the likes of Manchester City or Arsenal could be interested instead.
However, it is clear that this story isn’t going anywhere between now and the end of the transfer window.
In other Everton news, a new Calvert-Lewin contract update has emerged at Goodison Park amid links with Newcastle United
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