Man Utd suffer major transfer blow with Aston Villa close to completing £50m deal | OneFootball

Manchester United’s ambitions of signing Jarrad Branthwaite appear to be fading as Aston Villa inch closer to clinching a deal for Everton’s Amadou Onana.

Villa have reportedly agreed personal terms with Onana, and Everton have accepted their £50 million bid for him.

The transfer fee received from Onana’s sale could help the Toffees keep Branthwaite.

Man United have had two proposals for the England international swiftly rejected.

Their most recent bid was worth £45m plus £5m in add-ons. However, Everton value Branthwaite highly and want at least £70m-£80m to sanction his exit.

They categorise Branthwaite as an exceptional talent, placing him in the same league as Harry Maguire, Wesley Fofana and Josko Gvardiol, all of whom were sold for more than £75m.

United are unwilling to meet this astronomical valuation which could end their pursuit.

The departures of Raphael Varane and Willy Kambwala have left a glaring hole in central defence.

Lisandro Martinez is a sure starter for United when he is fully fit, but the futures of Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof have yet to be determined.

Maguire wants to stay at Old Trafford and fight for his place, but Lindelof is likely to leave as his current contract expires next summer.

United are eyeing a summer move for Bayern Munich star Matthijs de Ligt and Lille starlet Leny Yoro.

Everton are now in a solid position and will not let Branthwaite leave until their asking price is met.