Manchester United want Everton ace Jarrad Branthwaite as one of four summer transfers
Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite is on a four-player transfer wishlist for Manchester United this summer, according to the Sunday Mirror.
The Mirror reported in their print edition (30 June, page 79) that the Toffees centre-back is one of four players that United’s new investors INEOS want to sign in the current transfer window.
That list also includes Manuel Ugarte, Joshua Zirkzee and fellow central defender Matthijs de Ligt, but early approaches made for Branthwaite have already been rebuffed by the Goodison Park hierarchy.
An initial £35million bid was dismissed out of hand by the Blues, who value Branthwaite at double that amount and have made clear they will not sell their prize asset for any less than their asking price [Don Hutchison, June 18].
Jarrad Branthwaite saga set to dominate Everton transfer window
It’s already been made clear that making a move for Branthwaite will be high on United’s agenda throughout this summer, with a continuous question mark hanging over his future on Merseyside.
The England defender’s £70million asking price is certainly a steep one, but the Red Devils have reportedly been exploring a variety of ways to barter the Toffees down to a more reasonable fee [Fabrizio Romano, 28 June].
One strategy is to potentially include current United players – namely defenders Victor Lindelof and/or Aaron Wan-Bissaka – as makeweights in a transfer, but that’s yet to be formally be tabled to Everton [HITC, 15 June].
Battles to remain within Profit and Sustainability parameters have already led to Lewis Dobbin and Ben Godfrey being sold, while other sales had been mooted before 30 June but it always felt like the club were more inclined to move on other talents before Branthwaite.
Amadou Onana and Dominic Calvert-Lewin are two players who’ve also been heavily linked with the exit door, with the Toffees seemingly dead-set on ensuring that Branthwaite stays put this summer [the i, 21 June].
In other Everton news, the club have been handed a green signal to sign an award-winning player with his agent confirming an exit is on the cards.
For more Everton news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.