Manchester United have tabled a second bid worth £45m plus add-ons for Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite
According to a report from the BBC, Manchester United have launched a second bid for Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite. The revised offer is in the region of £45m plus achievable add-ons should certain targets be met.
After having agreed personal terms with Jarrad Branthwaite, Manchester United sent an opening bid worth £35m last month. However, Everton rejected it right away as they value the centre-back at around £80m.
As per the aforementioned report, the Toffees are not satisfied with Man United’s second offer and are set to reject it. Jarrad Branthwaite is supposedly the Red Devil’s No.1 defensive target this summer to replace Raphael Varane, who left the club upon the expiry of his contract at the end of June.
The young Englishman impressed as a left-sided centre-back for Everton last season, helping Sean Dyche’s side avoid relegation despite points deduction for breaching the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability rules (PSR). He made 35 Premier League appearances in what was his breakout campaign for the Toffees, scoring three vital goals including the 2-0 win over Merseyside rivals Liverpool at Goodison Park.
The 22-year-old might not have earned an England call-up for the 2024 European Championships this summer, but he has done enough to catch the attention of the 20-time English champions, who are in the market for defensive reinforcements.
Varane’s exit has left Erik ten Hag with Lisandro Martinez, Harry Maguire, Jonny Evans, Victor Lindelof and Willy Kambwala as centre-back options. Martinez endured an injury-ravaged second season at Old Trafford, which directly affected the team’s form and playing style. Lindelof and Maguire are considered sellable assets, while Evans is past his prime and shouldn’t be viewed as a regular starter for the club.
Should the likes of Maguire and Lindelof follow Varane out of Man United, Ten Hag will be left with very limited resources in central defence. Thus, we are also in talks with Bayern Munich for star defender Matthijs de Ligt as a separate deal to Branthwaite.
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Branthwaite no doubt proved his quality in the Premier League this past season, impressing with his passing, tackling, box defending, burst of acceleration, physicality and goalscoring ability. He would be a brilliant long-term addition to Man United’s defensive ranks if we can agree on a deal with Everton.
However, it feels like the Toffees are in no mood to offer some discount for the 22-year-old defender. If that is the case, we must not go beyond £55m for a player who has only broken into the first team last season. if the Merseyside side remain hellbent on their valuation, we must shift our focus elsewhere.
