Manchester United eye cut-price move for Jarrad Branthwaite – Man United News And Transfer News

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Manchester United are hoping to strike a cut-price deal for Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite of just £40 million owing to the Merseyside club’s dire financial situation.

The Sun reveals United are in “pole position” to make the 21-year-old centre-back the first signing of the Sir Jim Ratcliffe era with the British billionaire “determined to start…with a bang” this summer.

Branthwaite has enjoyed a breakout season at the heart of Everton’s defence. The previous year, he had flourished in a back three at PSV Eindhoven under former United striker, Ruud van Nistelrooy, helping his newly adopted side to win the 2022/23 KNVB Cup over rivals Ajax.

This string of impressive performances has earned the Englishman plaudits across the Premier League, as well as catching the eye of his national team manager.

Gareth Southgate gave Branthwaite his first senior call up for England in March, though the centre-back did not get the chance to make his debut. However, he was included in Southgate’s provisional squads for this summer’s EUROs and seems a safe bet to make the final cut based on his strong defensive performances this season for Everton.

On the flip side, Old Trafford has been a place desperately short of strong defensive performances this year.

Erik ten Hag’s side have struggled immensely due to an almost unprecedent injury crisis, felt most strongly in defence.

All four senior centre-backs – Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane, Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof – have spent large parts of the season ruled out. In fact, at one point, all four were unavailable at the same time, forcing Ten Hag to field a central defence of Willy Kambwala and Jonny Evans for the away trip to West Ham. Predictably, United fell to a 2-0 defeat.

The Red Devils finished the league campaign having conceded 58 goals and only scoring 57, producing a shocking goal difference of -1.

With the futures of Maguire and Lindelof a long-term doubt, as well as Varane having departed the club after the FA Cup victory last weekend, a new centre-back is a key priority this summer. It’s likely the club may even need two.

United are set to be limited in their spending this summer, however. The Premier League’s Financial Fair Play regulations means the exorbitant transfers of the past few years will restrict their budget and there will be considerable pressure on the funds that can be generated sales.

As such, the initial prices suggested for Branthwaite – between the region of £75-£100 million – would likely have decimated United’s budget, leaving little room for the other targets desperately needed to upgrade the squad.

However, Everton are facing a much worse financial situation themselves, with the Toffees reportedly facing the prospect being put into administration unless they raise huge amounts through player sales in June. The club has already been subject to a points deduction earlier in the season.

And it’s these financial pressures threat which The Sun contends has led Ratcliffe to believe he can strike a “half-price” deal for Branthwaite of just £40 million. Given United’s own economic troubles, the bargain price would then enable Old Trafford executives to make much-needed investments elsewhere.

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