Manchester United targeting a move for Everton centre-back Branthwaite

Manchester United targeting a move for Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite, with further recruits expected at Old Trafford in the summer following the arrival of Erik ten Hag

  • Manchester United are keen to sign Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite
  • The 19-year-old defender joined the Toffees from Carlisle in January 2020
  • United are set to announce Ajax boss Erik ten Hag as their new manager
  • The Dutchman is set to reshape the squad and splash the cash on new signings 

Manchester United are monitoring Everton’s teenage centre back Jarrad Branthwaite.

The left sided defender has made five appearances and scored once for struggling Everton this season and United staff believe he has potential to kick on.

Signed from Carlisle United for £1million, the 19-year old broke into Everton’s first team under Carlo Ancelotti who rated the youngster highly.

Everton’s young centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite, 19, is a target for Manchester United

Erik ten Hag is set to be unveiled as the Red Devils’ new manager and he will revamp the squad

He is technically very good and at 6ft 5ins has the physical stature United are keen to bring into their squad.

They want to add a new centre back though the size of their transfer budget depends on Champions League qualification.

They have drafted a list that includes internationals but are also looking at young players with potential to develop who could be prised away for figures towards the lower end of their budget.

Branthwaite joined Everton from Carlisle in January 2020 and has impressed when called upon

Branthwaite agreed a new contract in December that ties him to Everton until 2025, they would be reluctant to lose him but know they need to make some tough decisions this summer as they reshape an underperforming squad and need to generate funds to offset their debts.

Up to 10 players are expected to leave Old Trafford including striker Edinson Cavani, midfielder Paul Pogba and goalkeeper Dean Henderson.

It will leave plenty of scope for the Dutchman, but failure to qualify for next season’s Champions League could reduce their targets and budget. 

Ten Hag, 52, will reshuffle the pack at Old Trafford be appointed the new manager of the club

Manchester United will be linked with their usual raft of transfer targets this summer and want to strengthen the spine of the team with a new centre back, central midfielder and striker.

With a replacement needed for Edinson Cavani — and possibly Cristiano Ronaldo — it is thought United could make a move for Tottenham’s Harry Kane or Darwin Nunez of Benfica.

The midfield options are believed to include Declan Rice (West Ham), Kalvin Phillips (Leeds), Ruben Neves (Wolves), Yves Bissouma (Brighton), Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (Lazio) and Aurelien Tchouameni (Monaco).

West Ham midfielder Declan Rice is key target for United chiefs who could join this summer

In defence, United are said to have discussed Antonio Rudiger, who is available on a free from Chelsea, and Jurrien Timber (Ajax).

But with agents being told by United that failing to qualify for the Champions League could slash the club’s budget to as low as £20m, many of those targets could be out of reach for new manager Ten Hag.




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