Jarrad Branthwaite, the talented young defender from Everton, is causing a stir in the transfer market. Manchester United has had two bids rejected for the 22-year-old, who emerged as one of the Premier League’s best young defenders last season. The first bid was worth £35 million with £10 million in add-ons, while the second offer was £45 million plus £5 million in add-ons. However, Everton values Branthwaite at £70 million, and they are eager to tie him down to a new contract.
Branthwaite has agreed to personal terms with United and has been offered a deal worth £160,000-a-week, a significant increase from his current £70,000 deal at Everton. However, according to The Daily Mail, the young defender will not sign a new contract with Everton unless they can match United’s proposal. This puts Everton in a difficult position, as they risk losing their prized asset if they cannot meet his demands.
Meanwhile, Manchester United is still interested in Branthwaite but has temporarily stepped back from transfer talks. The club is also in discussions with Bayern Munich over a potential deal for Matthijs de Ligt, but their offer of around £30 million falls short of Bayern’s valuation. Strengthening their options at the back has been a priority for United this summer, with the departure of Raphael Varane and the potential sale of Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire.
In addition to their pursuit of Branthwaite and de Ligt, United is also eager to sign a full-back. There are concerns over Luke Shaw’s long-term fitness, and Tyrell Malacia is still not back in full training after a year out. United’s defensive reinforcements are crucial as they look to compete for titles in the upcoming season.
Overall, the situation surrounding Jarrad Branthwaite’s future is intriguing. Everton faces the challenge of matching United’s offer to keep their prized asset, while United continues to explore other defensive options. The outcome of these negotiations will have a significant impact on both clubs’ defensive strategies for the upcoming season.