Manchester United transfer budget emerges after Everton receive derisory Jarrad Branthwaite bid
Manchester United only have a transfer budget of £50million and have “no intention” of meeting the asking price at Everton for Jarrad Branthwaite, according to The Telegraph.
The paper reported via their website on 14 June that an opening bid from Old Trafford for the 21-year-old defender was rejected as it was worth £35m up front with a further £8m in add-ons and see as “derisory”.
The Toffees are instead looking for somewhere around double that amount as they see Branthwaite in the same price bracket as the likes of Harry Maguire, Wesley Fofana and Josko Gvardiol who have all moved for in excess of £75m.
But United’s budget will only be boosted if they make sales of their own and they also have profit and sustainability pressures to keep in mind, so while Everton insist they won’t sell the centre-back cheaply their opposite numbers in Manchester also insist they don’t plan to buy him for big money.
Transfer stalemate at Old Trafford and Goodison Park over Everton star?
The above circumstances suggest the obvious conclusion is that Branthwaite will not be heading to Manchester this summer, at least not to wear red.
There are some variables to the situation, in that it remains to be seen how much the stances on either side are negotiating tactics that might soften as time passes, and the fact that Amadou Onana could instead be sold.
But while United apparently believe they can capitalise on the well-publicised financial issues at Goodison Park to pick up Branthwaite in a cut-price deal the indication is that won’t be happening [Mirror, 14 June].
Personal terms are reported to have been agreed already [Telegraph, 13 June] but equally Everton are said to believe the England international is happy at the club [David Ornstein, 14 June].
It is possible that the two clubs could meet somewhere in the middle as the transfer window wears on, but the opposing positions appear to be staunchly held at this stage.
Kevin Thelwell has admitted (10 May) the Toffees will need to make some sales this summer, but how many and for how much remains to be seen, with a number of current players linked to exits.
In other Everton news, two more clubs have approached the Toffees over a major summer transfer deal.
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