Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite, Bayern Munich centre-back Matthijs De Ligt are both on Manchester United’s summer list, but as much as Erik ten Hag really needs them both, there is no room for it.
Manchester United will not sign Jarrad Branthwaite despite agreeing personal terms, and the moves both clubs now intend to make have been revealed by a report.
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The centre-back position is where a lot of the action will be at Old Traffotd this summer. Raphael Varane has already moved on for free and is closing in on a move to newly promoted Serie A side Como.
Victor Lindelof has serious interest in Turkey, while Manchester United will try to sell Harry Maguire for the third summer in a row. At least one new centre-back must arrive, and at the top of United’s wanted list was Everton and England star Jarrad Branthwaite.
Manchester United wasted no time in concluding an agreement on personal terms with the 21-year-old. Branthwaite would earn around £150,000 a week if he moved to Old Trafford.
However, Everton demand more than Manchester United are willing to pay.
Everton value Branthwaite at £70m after seeing the likes of Wesley Fofana and Josko Guardiol complete moves to Chelsea and Manchester City respectively for figures just north of that sum. – Manchester United was aware of Everton’s financial framework and pushed for a reasonable agreement ahead of the PSR deadline on 30 June.
However, that deadline has come and gone and Branthwaite will not be sold this summer. – This means that Everton will be very careful with their purchases this summer to avoid a points draw as they experienced last season.
Football Insider, who first broke the news, wrote: “Everton plan to keep Branthwaite and sell big defender.” The defender they now plan to offload is Michael Keane.
Sean Dyche’s club are also considering selling striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
With Everton seemingly removing Branthwaite from the equation and Man Utd unwilling to meet the club’s £70m asking price anyway, it now appears the player will not be heading to Old Trafford at least this summer.
All eyes on Matthijs De Ligt
However, Manchester United have other irons in the fire, with a move for Bayern Munich’s Matthijs De Ligt now taking center stage.
The Dutch defender, 24, is more than willing to leave Bayern after seeing his minutes cut last season. Reports have also stated that De Ligt is willing to take a pay cut to facilitate a transfer.
News from the Netherlands revealed that De Ligt has been offered a five-year contract which he is fully prepared to sign.
Erik ten Hag – who managed De Ligt during their Ajax days – has personally contacted his former player to convince him.
Bayern Munich are seeking around 50 million euros plus add-ons in return to sell De Ligt to Man Utd. Given that the more expensive Branthwaite now appears to be off the table, United may well feel emboldened to meet Bayern’s asking price. However, despite the age of suitors, De Ligt only has eyes for Man Utd and has instructed his agent, Rafaela Pimenta, to inform all other suitors that he only wants the Red Devils.
