Manchester United have a long-standing interest in Everton star Jarrad Branthwaite and the Red Devils are hoping they can finally sign the 22-year-old defender this summer
Manchester United are reportedly ready to pay more than £50million to sign Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite this summer. United fell short in their attempts to sign Branthwaite last summer, with Everton holding out for £70m.
The Red Devils ultimately signed Matthijs de Ligt from Bayern Munich and Leny Yoro from Lille to strengthen their backline, while Ayden Heaven joined from Arsenal in the January transfer window.
However, with manager Ruben Amorim playing a system that uses three centre-backs, the Sun are reporting that United have made Branthwaite their top target for the summer. The report also notes that the potential deal could hinge on United’s Europa League campaign.
The club currently sit 13th in the Premier League and their only chance of qualifying for the Champions League is by winning the Europa League. It is claimed that Branthwaite would only consider a move to Old Trafford if they are playing in Europe’s premier competition.
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Branthwaite was surprisingly overlooked for Thomas Tuchel’s first England squad and he is said to believe that playing Champions League football will help ‘persuade Tuchel he should be in the World Cup mix’.
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“I don’t pick the England squad, so I can only say if you’re looking at the last six or seven weeks Jarrad Branthwaite would be up there playing as well as any English centre-half in the country,” Everton boss David Moyes said when asked about Branthwaite’s omission.
“But the big thing he needs to do? Go and play for England Under-21s and be the best player again, and then he gets selected again.
“That’s the instructions I’ve been giving him – go and show what you can do for the 21s and Lee Carsley will pass good information back to the manager and hopefully it will get you back in.
“He doesn’t need picking up because he’s a young centre-half at the moment.
“You’ve got to learn your trade, keep improving, and I told him go and play really well for the Under-21s and show Thomas he should have taken you into the squad.”
Tottenham Hotspur are also said to be interested in Branthwaite, but much like United they can only qualify for the Champions League by winning the Europa League. Branthwaite has been ever-present for Everton this season, making 24 appearances across all competitions so far.
