Manchester United’s first port of call in the summer market has been trying to look for defensive reinforcements considering their dismal record last season while the club have also lost Raphael Varane since then.
The Red Devils were linked with a plethora of centre-backs but the club zeroed in on Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite and promptly agreed on personal terms with the Englishman.
However, talks with the Toffees have been far from smooth with the Merseysiders rejecting United’s first bid of £45 million and have been holding out for around £70 million.
United have refused to waver in their belief and have threatened to walk away without making any further bids unless Sean Dyche’s team got realistic about their valuation.
Everton’s adamant stance
While the England international would love to join, he will not force through a move while even Manchester City are said to be preparing to hijack United’s attempts to sign Branthwaite.
In further bad news, Football Insider have claimed that Everton are preparing to keep the 22-year-old and move on Michael Keane, a former United academy graduate, instead.
They are in much better shape PSR wise after selling Ben Godfrey and now they could end up keeping Branthwaite despite intense interest as Keane’s sale would go a long way in balancing the books.
This will only strengthen Everton’s position and might mean that they will only agree to a deal on their own terms.
“Michael Keane could leave Everton this summer if Jarrad Branthwaite stays at the club. Senior correspondent Pete O’Rourke revealed that Keane could be deemed surplus to requirements at Goodison Park.
Jarrad to stay?
“Sources state that multiple more big-name exits are set to take place at Everton in this window, with Ben Godfrey having already departed the club. Keane could follow him out of the door if Branthwaite stays and the Merseyside club bring in new defenders.”
Despite being in pole position, it would be a huge blow for INEOS if they fail to land their main target this window. The race for alternatives like Marc Guehi, Jean-Clair Todibo and Leny Yoro have also not gone according to plan.
After so many setbacks, United are reportedly focusing on landing Matthijs de Ligt from Bayern Munich but the Dutchman is expected to play on the right while the Everton star was seen as the perfect deputy for Lisandro Martinez.
United might need more than one centre-back, especially with Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof both linked with exits. It remains to be seen whether the Red Devils can pull off the Branthwaite deal in the end.
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