What Everton takeover means for Manchester United amid Jarrad Branthwaite transfer interest

Manchester United may have suffered a blow in their pursuit of Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite after the Friedkin Group completed their takeover.

United launched a transfer offensive to sign the England centre-back during the summer window, offering a package up to £50million after their initial bid - worth £35million plus £8million in add-ons was rejected. However, the Toffees rebuffed the interest from across the North West with Erik ten Hag eventually winning the race for Leny Yoro, while adding Bayern Munich stopper Matthijs de Ligt to his squad as well.

The takeover at Goodison Park ahead of their move to Bramley Moore ends Farhad Moshiri's tenure at the helm. News on Thursday morning comes after a year of toil for Everton where they were close to being acquired by 777 Partners, who were granted exclusivity initially but failed to meet the takeover deadline following months of uncertainty.

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With Everton's financial struggles and two Premier League sanctions after being found in breach of their Profit and Sustainability Regulations, which amounted an eight-point deduction in the table further heightening their risk of relegation. During the summer, there was a further threat which led to the prospect of a firesale at Goodison Park in order to recoup the losses that would mean they didn't fall below the red line again.

However, Everton's power at the negotiation table was strengthened when Lewis Dobbin and Ben Godfrey departed for West Brom and Atalanta, respectively.

Marc Watts has been installed as the