Manchester United are set to table a £50m bid for Everton star Jarrad Branthwaite
Manchester United have endured a turbulent season, currently languishing in 13th place in the Premier League and already eliminated from both domestic cup competitions. While their Europa League campaign has offered a glimmer of hope, it’s evident that a major squad overhaul is needed. As part of their summer rebuild plans, reports now indicate that United are preparing a £50 million bid for Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite.
The highly-rated 21-year-old has continued to impress at his boyhood club, building on the momentum of his breakout campaign last season. Branthwaite had already caught United’s eye during the previous summer window, and it appears the Red Devils are now ready to reignite their pursuit as they look to reinforce a leaky and injury-hit backline.
Manchester United submitted multiple bids for Branthwaite in previous windows but ultimately shifted their focus to other targets after being priced out of a deal for the Everton defender. The Red Devils instead secured the signings of Leny Yoro and Matthijs de Ligt, adding much-needed reinforcements to their backline.
However, the club could still be in the market for another centre-back this summer, particularly with head coach Rúben Amorim set to implement his preferred 3-4-3 system, which demands greater squad depth in defence. Both Victor Lindelöf and Jonny Evans are expected to depart on free transfers, and a new report suggests Amorim has growing concerns over Lisandro Martínez’s long-term reliability due to his ongoing injury struggles.
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Branthwaite, who has spent the bulk of his formative years at Everton and amassed 80 senior appearances across all competitions, also benefited from a productive loan spell in the Netherlands that played a key role in his development. Now, Manchester United are reportedly ready to reignite their pursuit of the talented centre-back.
According to Caught Offside, the Red Devils are preparing a £50 million bid for the 22-year-old, with sources close to the situation confirming United’s continued interest after failed attempts to lure him away from Goodison Park last summer. Despite already securing Leny Yoro and Dutch international Matthijs de Ligt, Branthwaite remains high on United’s defensive wishlist—particularly with Rúben Amorim set to adopt a back-three system. However, the competition for his signature is heating up, with Premier League rivals Liverpool and Spanish giants Real Madrid also keeping close tabs on the highly-rated defender.
According to FootballTransfers, Rúben Amorim has privately expressed a desire for Manchester United to bring in another centre-back, despite the squad already appearing well-stocked in that area following the arrivals of Leny Yoro and Matthijs de Ligt. The report also notes that Amorim remains a strong admirer of Gonçalo Inácio, a player he previously managed at Sporting CP. However, no formal negotiations have taken place yet, with ongoing concerns surrounding United’s financial situation and internal sporting structure said to be delaying any potential move.
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Should the 22-year-old make the move to Manchester United, it would undoubtedly represent a major coup for the Red Devils. With the club facing persistent defensive issues and preparing for the departure of veteran players this summer, the need for a reliable, Premier League-proven centre-back is clear. Jarrad Branthwaite, who was named Everton’s Young Player of the Year last season, fits that profile perfectly. His composure, physical presence, and experience in the English top flight make him an ideal candidate to anchor the backline. More importantly, he could prove to be a vital piece in Rúben Amorim’s rebuilding project at Old Trafford.