Manchester United’s hopes of securing Jarrad Branthwaite have been dashed once again as Everton rejected a second bid worth £50 million for the defender. Sources have revealed that the Toffees are adamant about receiving closer to £70 million for the 22-year-old.
Despite missing out on making England’s Euro 2024 squad, Branthwaite showcased his talents last season, emerging as one of the most promising defensive prospects in the Premier League. This has caught the attention of Manchester United, who view him as a key target in their squad rebuilding efforts this summer.
Although Everton’s financial situation has improved with recent player departures, the club still has certain financial obligations that need to be considered in any potential transfer deals. Any sale of Branthwaite would involve paying Carlisle 15% of the transfer fee, as per the agreement when he joined Everton from Carlisle.
In addition to Branthwaite, Manchester United are also eyeing moves for Matthijs de Ligt from Bayern Munich and Joshua Zerkzee from Bologna. To fund these transfers, the club is looking to offload several players, including the likes of Mason Greenwood, Jadon Sancho, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and Donny van de Beek. There is also speculation that defenders Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelöf could be on the move if United manage to secure either Branthwaite or De Ligt.
Overall, the rejection of Manchester United’s second bid for Jarrad Branthwaite by Everton signals a potential roadblock in the club’s transfer plans. While United remain keen on strengthening their squad with young defensive talent, Everton’s firm stance on the transfer fee indicates that negotiations could be challenging. It remains to be seen how both clubs will proceed in the coming weeks as the summer transfer window heats up.