Manchester United learn Jarrad Branthwaite transfer fee as clear Everton demand set

Manchester United have been linked with a move for Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite this summer.

United are in need of defensive reinforcements with Raphael Varane leaving and Jonny Evans currently on a short-term deal. Branthwaite is one centre-back who has been linked with a transfer to Old Trafford as Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos look to rebuild United's squad.

And our colleagues at the Daily Star claim Everton will demand around £80million for the England international who has three years left on his current contract. United however are said to value the centre-back at closer to £60m with Sir Jim Ratcliffe not prepared to pay over the odds.

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The England international has great potential but United have been here before with signing expensive English centre-backs. Harry Maguire joined in 2019 from Leicester City for £80m but his time in Manchester has been mixed.

Many will say that Branthwaite is a better defender but Maguire's stock was high when he left the Foxes five years ago. There is always a risk that the Toffees star could go the same way.

With PSR concerns to deal with like most Premier League clubs, United must be weary of paying over the odds for Brathwaite having been stung so many times in the past for doing exactly that.

However, if they can get a reasonable fee then the 21-year-old could build a solid partnership with Lisandro Martinez at centre-back. Keeping the Argentine fit will be a challenge but there could be something there to build on for Erik ten Hag or whoever succeeds him at