- United are keen to sign a defender but find themselves limited by FFP rulings
- They have earmarked Branthwaite as an option and are set to table a summer bid
- LISTEN: On It’s All Kicking Off! Why England’s defence could prevent football from coming home
Manchester United are set to table a bid for Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite after learning of his valuation.
United are looking to rebuild this summer after it was confirmed that Erik ten Hag would be staying on as manager under the leadership of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS.
They are in the market for a defender, and have earmarked Branthwaite as an option, with the highly-rated defender able to earn struggling Everton a hefty sum to help them off-the-pitch if he is to leave.
The Toffees have put a £70million price tag on the 21-year-old, who enjoyed a breakout season under Sean Dyche after impressing on loan at PSV in The Netherlands the year prior.
It is understood that despite reports, personal terms are still to be resolved while the clubs have still to agree a price.
Manchester United are set to table a bid for Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite after learnign of his valuation
United are set to move forwards into next season with manager Erik ten Hag (left) staying in charge of the club
Should Branthwaite prove too difficult to secure, the Red Devils could move for Bayern Munich’s Matthijs de Ligt
Everton’s stance has been that Branthwaite is not for sale but sources within the club believe a huge bid would have to be considered.
United will now look to do business as they try to make him their first summer signing, but must be wary of Financial Fair Play rulings if they are to negotiate.
It is expected that negotiations for the England man may take time and won’t be straightforward.
If the Red Devils are unsuccessful in their approaches, they may turn their attentions to Bayern Munich man Matthijs de Ligt as back-up option.
The Dutch defender’s future is unclear at Bayern under Vincent Kompany, with the likes of Eric Dier, Kim Min-jae and Dayot Upamecano ahead of him in the pecking order under Thomas Tuchel.
The German side could therefore listen to bids, though United cannot spend too heavily this summer.
Elsewhere, Jean-Clair Todibo of Nice, the other club INEOS own, remains an option as another centre back signing this summer.
Their transfer budget will depend on outgoings, with a number of players, including Mason Greenwood, potentially set to leave the club.
Signing a centre back will be a somewhat priority, however, with Raphael Varane leaving and Lisandro Martinez dealing with a number of injury issues last season.
Reports have suggested that potential placements for Ten Hag were left less-than-impressed by the packages offered by the club, including the transfer budget at the club’s disposal this summer.
The likes of Thomas Tuchel, Gareth Southgate and Mauricio Pochettino had been touted as potential replacements,
Jean-Clair Todibo (left) of Nice, the other club INEOS own, remains an option as another centre back signing
United are, however, aware that they need to sell players in order to increase their transfer kitty
United spoke to a number of managers and The Times report that two of them did not find the proposal all that appealing.
One is said to have been ‘astounded by the low wage that he would receive if he took the job’.
Another ‘was left unimpressed by the transfer budget, which is roughly £50m gross this summer.