Manchester United could face more misery in their quest to sign Jarrad Branthwaite if they revisit their interest in the Everton star this summer. The Red Devils are reported to have seen two bids for the 22-year-old rejected last year.
United spent the first part of the 2024 summer window pursuing Branthwaite but failed to land the England international. After being priced out of a move, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and co. turned their attention to Leny Yoro and struck an initial £52million deal with Lille. Both rejected bids for Branthwaite are widely reported to have been around a similar figure.
If United decide they want to add Branthwaite to their defensive ranks in the summer, they could be in for a major shock. According to The i Paper, Everton’s stance from last summer has not changed and they do not want to sell the centre-back.
It would reportedly take a bid of at least £80m to bring the Toffees to the negotiating table. Everton, who are set to move into their new stadium on Bramley-Moore dock ahead of the 2025-26 season, want to overhaul David Moyes’ squad but they do not want an exit for Branthwaite to fund their summer activity.
There remains hope in the Blue half of Merseyside that Branthwaite will extend his contract beyond 2027. Liverpool, Tottenham and Newcastle are all said to have registered an interest in the former Carlisle player and it remains to be seen if they will bid for him.
United are likely to overhaul Ruben Amorim’s squad in the summer and that may include signing another centre-back – despite the recent arrivals of Yoro and Ayden Heaven. But Branthwaite could be unattainable if INEOS work to a strict transfer budget.
Minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has made clear that United will not be forced into overspending for targets. Quickly moving on to the cheaper Yoro was evidence of that mindset in practice. If United need another defender this summer, it seems likely that they will find alternative players.
Any move for Branthwaite under Everton’s £80m asking price will be rebuffed. United must learn from the early parts of last year’s summer window and avoid any misery by attempting to lure Branthwaite from across the north-west for anything under that figure.
After the acquisition of Everton by the Friedkin Group, the Toffees are in a much stronger position to control Branthwaite’s future this summer. When last season some club’s attempted to take advantage of their instability by under-paying, Everton now have the resources to snub interest in a prized asset.
Content Source: www.express.co.uk