Everton learn Manchester United transfer situation as Jarrad Branthwaite interest continues

Jarrad Branthwaite will only leave Everton for Manchester United if they can raise the funds to finance a transfer, according to David Ornstein.

In The Athletic on 17 July, Ornstein wrote that while United remain interested in Branthwaite, and fellow defender Matthijs de Ligt, Leny Yoro's impending arrival at Old Trafford may limit their ability to sign him.

The Toffees have put a reported £80million price tag on Branthwaite's head, and with 18-year-old Yoro set to cost the Red Devils £52million alone, they will likely have to sell players to generate both finances and space in the squad in order to accommodate such a fee [Ben Jacobs, 5 July].

Everton looking increasingly likely to keep Jarrad Branthwaite

In their pursuit of Branthwaite, Manchester United sought a young defender with a high ceiling and little over a season of experience in Europe's top five leagues.

However, they've now got exactly that in the form of Yoro, who like Branthwaite has burst onto the scene over the last year and is in high demand this summer.

Despite being four years Branthwaite's junior and being untested at Premier League level, his arrival setting United back £52million is a huge boost for the Blues' hopes of keeping their star defender.

The Red Devils had always looked likely to offload existing defenders in their pursuit of new signings this summer with Harry Maguire already linked with a move to Goodison Park [Daily Star].

Maguire and team-mate Victor Lindelof had been mooted as potential makeweights in United's attempts to sign Branthwaite, in a bid to force down the Blues' hefty price tag for the defender [HITC, 15 June].

With the onus now on United to trim their squad before even approaching the Toffees for Branthwaite, plenty of change will have to occur at both ends before the England star leaves Goodison Park.

In other Everton news, shock has emerged as a “strange” Dele Alli agreement is reached at Goodison Park.

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