Stuart Pearce baffled by 'strange' Jarrad Branthwaite transfer twist at Everton
Stuart Pearce has dubbed Jarrad Branthwaite agreeing personal terms with Manchester United "strange" as Everton hold out for a bigger fee.
According to Give Me Sport [9 July], the Toffees defender is "so keen" on a move to Old Trafford this summer, with The Times reporting [14 June] that personal terms have been agreed.
The two clubs are unable to agree on a price tag, however, with Everton said to be holding out for upwards of £70million while the most recent offer was worth only £50million [The Times].
Speaking via talkSPORT on Tuesday (9 July, 11:40am), Pearce said: "It’s strange how personal terms are agreed when he is an Everton player. But that’s another subject altogether. I know Dyche will be absolutely desperate to keep hold of him. He had an outstanding season last year.
“To be fair, Harry Maguire when he moved, how much was that fee? Around a similar type (£70 million). In this day and age, I couldn’t put a price on players. It’s a lot of money, but if he is going to deliver what they think he is going to deliver, then it probably isn’t.”
Strange Jarrad Branthwaite news at Manchester United
It is understandable why Branthwaite could be drawn to Old Trafford, given their need for defensive reinforcements as Erik ten Hag continues to rebuild the squad.
The 22-year-old experienced a sensational 2023/24 campaign alongside James Tarkowski and Jordan Pickford at the back for the Toffees, with only Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool conceding fewer goals.
Without the central defender, Everton's escape from relegation story could have had a very different ending, though without the points deductions, they would have finished one point below a top-half Premier League finish.
It is clear that the Toffees are willing to hold out for the bigger price tag, rather than fall to the pressure of a club like Manchester United.
It also seems that the club are not feeling heavy pressure from PSR concerns, though the likes of Amadou Onana and Dominic Calvert-Lewin could be sold before anything happens to Branthwaite.
In other Everton news, the Toffees have learned Wilfried Ndidi's wage demands as a transfer development emerges.
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