Manchester United interested in signing Everton’s £60-70m defender Jarrad Branthwaite | OneFootball

As per Sky Sports, Manchester United are interested in signing Jarrad Branthwaite from Everton this summer.

The 21-year-old has been tracked by several other top Premier League clubs including Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham and champions Manchester City, and it is believed that The Red Devils also attain a keen interest in Branthwaite.

Strengthening in central defence is said to be a top priority for United this summer window, and have marked the Everton man as one of their main targets, regardless of who their manager is next season – with current boss Erik ten Hag’s position potentially in jeopardy.

However, with a defensive midfielder and a striker also high on their priorities this summer, Everton reportedly expecting a £60-70 million fee for Branthwaite may be an issue for the Old Trafford Club, who need to spend and sell carefully due to league’s Profit and Sustainability regulations (PSR)

This is also a consideration for The Blues, who need to balance their books before June 30 in order to comply with PSR. As such, Branthwaite is a key asset they will consider selling, as well as Belgian International Amadou Onana, whom they bought for €35 million from Lille in August 2022.

The 6’5″ defender moved to Goodison Park aged 17 in a £1m deal from Carlisle United, then joining Blackburn Rovers and PSV on loan in the following years- the latter of which he particulalary impressed at in 21 Eredivisie apperances in the 2022/23 campaign.

This season though, Branthwaite has played a key role under Sean Dyche, starting all but three league fixtures and standing out on the left of James Tarkwoski in the heart of defence, whether it be in defending 1v1’s in wide areas, engaging proactively with attackers, or utilising his excellent aerial ability in both boxes – something which saw him score the opener in Everton’s 2-0 home victory in April’s Merseyside Derby.

These performances played a pivotal part in helping The Toffees secure a top flight status for another season – despite their eight-point deduction for breaching PSR rules – and ultimately earned Branthwaite a call-up to Gareth Southgate’s preliminary squad for the Euros this summer.

As such, United will be keeping a close eye to see his performances for England in Germany, as new technical director Jason Wilcox and expected new sporting director Dan Ashworth look to bolster The FA Cup winners’ squad ahead of next season.

Travis Levison | Get Football