Everton transfer news: Manchester United want huge Jarrad Branthwaite summer discount

Manchester United want to sign Jarrad Branthwaite for a £25million cut in the Everton asking price, according to The Mirror.

The paper reported via their website on 11 March that with the Old Trafford side making the Toffees star a prime summer transfer target regardless of developments of Erik ten Hag's future they will seek to do a deal for around £50m.

At Goodison Park the star centre-back is seen as worth at least £75m, with the likes of Real Madrid also interested, but United will reportedly attempt to "drive that price down" a long way towards their preferred number.

Sean Dyche has already confirmed there aren't currently sufficient problems at the club that will necessitate selling the defender, and hopes that holds into the summer window.

Manchester United only want to pay two thirds of Everton asking price for Goodison Park star

Clearly there is always going to be a certain amount of negotiating involved in big-money transfer deals, and with everyone now so scared of breaching spending regulations that will be even more the case.

The irony for Everton it is their own sanction which has led to clubs elsewhere getting so edgy about their own accounts, so the Toffees face getting hit by another knock on effect if they do have to sell.

In an ideal world Branthwaite, 21, won't be going anywhere either way, and Dyche clearly plans to keep him, even if claiming the club don't have problems seems a bit of a stretch.

Should they be obliged to make a high-priced sacrifice then the English defender would surely bring in the most money, above another exit-linked asset in Amadou Onana.

But with Carlo Ancelotti interested in a reunion at the Santiago Bernabeu, and various Premier League giants also suitors, it seems like very wishful thinking in Manchester to drive a third off the asking price even if the man the Toffees would ideally want nine-figures for does go.

In other Everton news, Josh Wander has been summoned to court in a celebrity dispute after concluding Premier League talks on the takeover.

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