INEOS working on three separate centre-back deals ahead of next season
With a striker already in the bag following Joshua Zirkzee’s transfer, Manchester United have decided to expedite the purchase of a central defender this summer.
Give Me Sport has reported that the club is in talks with three different players, namely Jarrad Branthwaite, Matthijs de Ligt and Leny Yoro, with the start of 2024/25 only one month away.
A deal for Yoro has already been agreed with Lille but the player is displaying hesitance at joining the Red Devils as he holds out for a switch to Real Madrid instead.
Lille’s and United’s best efforts to convince him to head to Old Trafford are falling short but it remains to be seen if pressure from both clubs breaks the Frenchman’s strong resolve.
Manchester United have already had two bids turned down for Jarrad Branthwaite, the latest of which was worth £45 million, and the club could return with another improved offer for the Englishman.
The Toffees are no longer under pressure to sell players this summer following Amadou Onana’s exit worth £50 million to Aston Villa. Thus, they may stand firm on Branthwaite’s valuation of £75 million.
A switch for Matthijs de Ligt, however, is still in the works and supposedly heading in the right direction. The player wants to join Manchester United and Bayern Munich are also ready to sell him.
It is no secret that the Premier League giants are in need of a central defender this summer following Raphael Varane’s departure, which is why the club is working rigorously behind the scenes.
Victor Lindelof has also been linked with an Old Trafford goodbye and the Swede’s potential exit could only compound United’s problems in the heart of defence.
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It remains to be seen whether United will be ready to pay £75 million to Everton for Branthwaite or if Yoro will ultimately accept their offer. However, a transfer for De Ligt may be just around the corner.
