Manchester United 'preparing' second bid for Jarrad Branthwaite as Xavi Simons makes transfer decision

Manchester United will reportedly table a second bid for Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite with a new offer said to be imminent.

United saw a £43m bid rejected by the Toffees this week, who are looking for between £70m and £80m for their star centre-back. Sir Jim Ratcliffe is adamant on not meeting that figure amid the club’s stance within spending rules.

United are working on an initial £50m net spend this summer and are expected to sell a number of players to fund all transfer targets, with a defender, a midfielder and a striker wanted. Branthwaite’s omission from England’s Euro 2024 squad allows more time for negotiations to play out.

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Everton are thought not to want to sell the 21-year-old, despite their own precarious position within finance limits. It’s unclear whether they would be more likely to sell before June 30 - the end date for the current three-year financial cycle within Premier League spending limits - but the Daily Mail says United are ready to try again soon.

Meanwhile, Xavi Simons has told Paris Saint-Germain he wishes to leave the club again this summer amid links with United. The attacker spent last season on loan at RB Leipzig, scoring 10 times and tallying 15 assists.

He was sent out on loan to the German club immediately after PSG bought him back to Paris last year after triggering a buy-back clause within his PSV Eindhoven deal. Simons is yet to play for the French champions since his return.

It’s now being reported by Italian media that the 21-year-old has informed PSG he wishes to exit