Manchester United will need to fork up £80million if they are to sign Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite this summer.
The 21-year-old has been a revelation for the Toffees since joining and was rather harshly left out of Gareth Southgate’s England squad for Euro 2024.
But his efforts on Merseyside are not going unnoticed by other Premier League clubs and the Red Devils are reportedly big admirers of the Cumbrian.
According to the BBC, Erik ten Hag and United have already agreed personal terms with Branthwaite and are keen to open a conversation with Everton over a potential deal.
However, the report suggests the Toffees do not want to sell their prized defender and they value him at the same level as Manchester City’s Josko Gvardiol.
The former RB Leipzig defender cost the Premier League champions £77m last summer, while existing United defender Harry Maguire cost £80m in 2019.
🔴🏴 Jarrad Branthwaite remains one of the names on Man United shortlist for new centre back, but not the only one.
Nothing advanced so far between clubs; Everton have NO plans to sell him for less than £65/70m fee.#MUFC have 3 more options.
🤝🏻 Branthwaite, keen on the move. pic.twitter.com/9EZ8oGn4xL
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 14, 2024
It is believed a similar bid could budge Everton’s stance on Branthwaite.
The club were handed a points deduction last season for breaching the league’s profit and sustainability rules and may have to sell again this summer to avoid a repeat.
Branthwaite is one of the club’s most valuable players and his departure would put Everton in a much more comfortable position.
Frenchman Raphael Varane has just left the club as a free agent following the FA Cup final win, while Maguire, Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof all suffered from long-term injuries last term.
