‘Definitely’: INEOS poised to vie with Liverpool chiefs for ‘magnificent’ England international in 2025

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·15. November 2024

‘Definitely’: INEOS poised to vie with Liverpool chiefs for ‘magnificent’ England international in 2025

With big-money transfers all but ruled out in the January window after an extravagant summer spending spree, INEOS chiefs are drawing up plans of how to bolster Ruben Amorim’s squad at the end of the season.

According to GiveMeSport, Jarrad Branthwaite remains firmly cemented on Manchester United’s shortlist for 2025, with their interest categorised as ‘definitely alive’. Liverpool are also seriously considering how they can convince him to cross the park to the red side of the Merseyside derby amidst uncertainty over Virgil van Dijk’s future at Anfield.

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The Reds saw two transfer proposals laughed off by the Everton board in July, the second of which was reportedly in the region of £45 million plus a further £10m in add-ons. For the Toffees board, any bid below their £80m valuation would not even be given the time of day.

Alas, United proceeded to scout alternatives by acquiring both Leny Yoro and Matthijs de Ligt. Both are expected to play integral roles in Ruben Amorim’s system alongside Lisandro Martinez, but with three centre-halves poised to leave when their contracts expire next June, reinforcements for the backline will be crucial.

Harry Maguire faces a somewhat uncertain future due to his terms having a one-year option included, while you’d expect that Jonny Evans and Victor Lindelof will both be released when their deals come to an end.

INEOS keen on sanctioning Branthwaite’s arrival next summer

(Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

That’s where Branthwaite comes in. The 22-year-old boasts enough Premier League experience to slot straight into a top side’s starting XI and could hold down the role for years to come.

However, United will undoubtedly be keeping tabs on the defender’s fitness record as of late. He missed the beginning of the campaign with a groin injury, delaying his first outing of 2024/2025 until matchweek six – which coincided with Everton’s first win: a 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace at Goodison Park.

Branthwaite proceeded to miss the subsequent two matches due to a flare-up of his previous injury and, following that, featured for only six minutes in total against both Fulham and Southampton. Widespread criticism from fans and pundits seemingly prompted Sean Dyche to restore the ‘magnificent’ England international to his starting XI for last week’s stalemate with West Ham, where he played the full 90 minutes.

It would seem as though Branthwaite had been rushed back into action slightly too soon, as he was then forced to withdraw from international duty with the Three Lions due to a pelvic bone complaint.