Ineos to hold big transfer meeting today with Jarrad Branthwaite on the agenda | OneFootball

Ineos have called a big powwow at Manchester United today to discuss transfer dealings and one name mentioned, in particular, stands out.

Caughtoffside claims that the Red Devils will “hold an important recruitment meeting today, with names like Joshua Zirkzee, Matthijs de Ligt and Jarrad Branthwaite expected to be the names discussed.”

Clearly, the Zirkzee and De Ligt deals are progressing smoothly and it seems that it is simply a case of waiting for the Netherlands to be eliminated from, or win, Euro 24 before the deals can be finalised.

The mention of Branthwaite, however, almost seems like a blast from the past.

At the start of the summer, the Everton defender looked to be United’s top priority for a summer transfer and they reportedly lodged a bid of around £35 + £8 million for the centre back.

However, the Toffees were said to be insulted by the bid and insisted they would not accept less than £70 million.

The huge divide seemed to leave the deal dead in the water and United turned their attentions to De Ligt.

But if caughtoffside are to be believed, there’s life in the old dog yet and this transfer story may still have a few frisbees to chase.

“Branthwaite might not be a £70m player, but United would do well not to give this deal up if possible, and it will be interesting to see the outcome of their discussions today,” the outlet says.

“There is surely a deal to be struck there as Everton have had financial problems in recent times and may need to sell, with Branthwaite a real opportunity for them to make big money and ensure they remain in line with Financial Fair Play rules after the blow of being docked points for this last season.”

Assuming that the De Ligt deal will be wrapped up, if United do resurrect their negotiations for the England man it would almost certainly mean curtains for another Three Lions centre back, Harry Maguire, or his long-standing centre-back partner, Victor Lindelof.

With Lisandro Martinez certain to stay and the likes of Willy Kambwala knocking on the door for first team minutes, there seems no way United will go forward with six centre backs in the first team squad.

Jonny Evans is also closing in on another one-year deal, so could also be a seventh emergency option.

A top three of De Ligt, Martinez and Branthwaite, with the latter capable of covering both sides, will leave little opportunity for Maguire and Lindelof unless the Red Devils were to endure a repeat of the horrific injury crisis that beset them in 2023/24.

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