Manchester United have struck an agreement with Jarrad Branthwaite ahead of a potential transfer - but it's unlikely they will pay over the odds for the Everton defender.
The Red Devils are expected to be busy in the transfer window with Ineos, led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, now calling the shots. And with United confirming that manager Erik ten Hag will remain in his post earlier this week, it's expected that transfer activity at Old Trafford will now begin to ramp up.
Branthwaite, 21, has been linked with United for months after impressing for Everton in the Premier League last season. The Times now report that United have agreed personal terms with the centre-half, who narrowly missed out on a place in England's Euro 2024 squad earlier this month.
The next step is for United to agree a fee with Everton for the players services. And while the Toffees will demand a premium price for Branthwaite, United's top brass have already indicated they will not be held to ransom for the former Carlisle United man.
It was outlined last month in a report by The Mail that Ratcliffe and co value Branthwaite at around the £55million mark. More recent reports, however, have detailed that Everton will demand a sum in the region of £70m for the impressive young defender, who has made a big impact at Goodison Park after returning from a breakout loan at PSV Eindhoven.
Given Everton's financial situation, it's likely Manchester United will attempt to drive down the price of any deal for Branthwaite - particularly given that the deadline for clubs to get their finances in order to meet profit and sustainability rules for the season is June 30.
Everton were docked eight points last season for breaching the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules and Everton director of football Kevin Thelwell admitted in a letter to fans last month that players would be sold this summer. He said: "The reality is, given the regulations in place and the Club’s current financial position, we have to trade well.
Join the debate! Would Branthwaite be a good signing for Man Utd? Let us know here.
Image:
Getty Images)"Working within such tight financial parameters makes the job extremely difficult. Whilst we want to ensure that the team is as competitive as possible, we cannot lose sight of our central objective to protect the long-term stability of the club."
Ratcliffe has been critical of Manchester United's transfer activity in the past and it's expected that the Ineos chief and his football operations team will pursue deals which represent value for money, meaning negotiations over a deal for Branthwaite could drag on.
As well as talks with Branthwaite, Manchester United are also interested in doing a deal for Lille prodigy Leny Yoro. Real Madrid are considered the favourites to land the sought-after defender, though, with the 18-year-old likely to be sold this summer after entering the final 12 months of his contract.
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