Manchester United has made an opening bid of £35m plus add-ons for Jarrad Branthwaite, a 21-year-old center-back, but Everton is expected to reject the offer. The Merseyside club is firm in their stance that they do not want to sell Branthwaite and value him at least twice the amount of United’s initial bid.
United has moved quickly following the opening of the transfer window and is eager to make Branthwaite their first signing of the Ineos era. However, there is a significant disparity between Everton’s valuation of the player and the amount United is willing to pay. Both clubs have their own financial issues to consider, with Everton possibly needing to sell players by June 30 due to Financial Fair Play violations.
United has spent heavily in recent years under manager Erik ten Hag, paying around £400m for new players. Selling players like Jadon Sancho and Mason Greenwood may help fund further transfers. The club has identified a central defender as a priority this summer following the decision to release Raphael Varane.
Everton believes that Branthwaite, as a 21-year-old England international and a left-footed center-back, should command a high price if he is to leave the club. Meanwhile, Everton’s captain Seamus Coleman has signed a one-year contract extension, keeping him at Goodison Park for a 16th season.