EXCLUSIVEMan United make a second bid for Jarrad Branthwaite worth £50m as Old Trafford club look to wrap up FOUR signings with Mason Greenwood sale set to boost transfer budget

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Manchester United have tabled an improved offer of £45million plus £5m in add-ons for Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite.

Everton rejected Unted’s opening bid of £35m last month and are known to want closer to £70m for the 22-year-old defender.

But United, who are prepared to give Branthwaite a long-term contract worth £160,000-a-week, hope that the increased offer might tempt their Premier League rivals to the negotiating table.

Mail Sport revealed earlier that United were holding a recruitment meeting on Monday to discuss a fresh bid for Branthwaite as well as moves for Bayern Munich defender Matthijs de Ligt and Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee.

United are in advanced talks for Zirkzee, whose buyout clause in Italy is £34m, and hope to agree a fee in the region of £43m with Bayern for De Ligt. 

Man United have returned with a second bid for Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite

United have made their move as Mason Greenwood 's transfer to Marseille progresses

The club’s other priority position in the summer transfer window is a defensive midfielder with Manuel Ugarte of Paris Saint-Germain high on the list of targets.

United will have to sell players to balance the books and comply with profit and sustainability rules, and Mason Greenwood could be the first player heading for the exit.

It’s believed that Greenwood is close to ending his controversial United career after Marseille made a £27m bid with the offer of a significant sell-on clause.

Greenwood held talks with United officials at Carrington on Monday but did not train with his teammates on the first day of pre-season.

The 22-year-old, who spent last season on loan at Getafe, has been told he has no future at Old Trafford despite charges of attempted rape and assault against him being dropped last year.

Marseille have moved ahead of Lazio, Atletico Madrid and Valencia in the race to sign Greenwood with talks at an advanced stage.

Manager Erik ten Hag is looking to strengthen his defence ahead of the new season 

Donny van de Beek is also on the verge of ending his miserable Old Trafford career with United close to finalising terms with Girona for the Dutch midfielder.

United are ready to accept a fee of £450,000 for a player who cost £35m from Ajax four years ago, although the deal would include add-ons up to £16m as well as a sell-on clause.