According to a report by James Ducker in the Telegraph, Manchester United have reached an agreement on personal terms with Jarrad Branthwaite, the centre-back from Everton.
Although the 21-year-old recently made his senior England debut against Bosnia & Herzegovina, he was not included in Gareth Southgate’s 26-man squad for the Euros. This is why Manchester United is eager to finalize the deal sooner rather than later.
Everton values Branthwaite at £70 million, as stated by the Telegraph. He had an impressive performance for the Toffees last season, making 35 appearances in the Premier League. However, Everton may be under pressure to sell him before June 30th to avoid further points deduction for breaching Profitability and Sustainability rules.
Recent reports suggest that Manchester United has submitted an initial offer of £35 million upfront, with an additional £8 million in add-ons, making the total deal worth up to £43 million. Although Everton has rejected this proposal, it is expected that United will come back with an improved offer soon.
Branthwaite’s contract, which was signed in October 2023, still has three more seasons to run. However, if he moves to Old Trafford, his reported wages of £40,000 per week would significantly increase. Nevertheless, personal terms were never expected to be a major obstacle.
Manchester United is currently looking to revamp their center-backs. With Raphaël Varane already leaving and uncertainties surrounding the futures of Victor Lindelöf, Harry Maguire, and Jonny Evans, there could be significant changes in the team’s central defense. Fabrizio Romano has mentioned Branthwaite as one of the names on Man United’s shortlist, while James Ducker, in the aforementioned Telegraph article, has stated that they are also monitoring Trevoh Chalobah, Jean-Clair Todibo, Marc Guéhi, and 18-year-old Leny Yoro from Lille.
Following the news last week that Erik ten Hag will continue as the manager of Manchester United, it is evident that preparations for the next season have already begun. This transfer window marks the first summer since Sir Jim Ratcliffe acquired 28% of the club in December last year.
What is the reason behind Manchester United’s interest in Jarrad Branthwaite?
During the successful era of Team Sky Cycling, which saw dominance in the sport under the leadership of Radcliffe and Sir David Brailsford in the 2010s, their focus was on having the best British talent. Bradley Wiggins, Chris Froome (winning four times), and Geraint Thomas all triumphed in the Tour de France during this period.
The potential signing of Branthwaite suggests that Manchester United aims to adopt a similar philosophy, to some extent. The defender excels in interceptions and aerial duels, and his 157 clearances place him among the top six players in the Premier League.
At just 21 years old, Branthwaite undoubtedly possesses a promising future. Could Old Trafford be his destination? Only time will reveal the answer.
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