Manchester United are willing to pay £55million to sign rising star Jarrad Branthwaite from cash-hungry Everton.
Branthwaite, 21, has enjoyed a breakout campaign with the Toffees, helping Sean Dyche's side maintain their Premier League status despite being docked eight points for breaches of the league's Profit and Sustainability Rules. Everton are still in needs of funds heading into the summer transfer window, with defender Branthwaite currently considered their most saleable asset.
United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS colleagues are keen to snap up the best homegrown talent available and as defence is an area which needs improving, Branthwaite fits the bill. The Red Devils are prepared to pay Everton £55m for the centre-back, the Daily Mail report, but Goodison Park chiefs value him closer to £80m amid links to Real Madrid, Manchester City and Tottenham.
The England youth international was handed his first senior call-up in March and hopes to be part of Gareth Southgate's 26-man squad for the European Championship this summer. As well as being left-footed, Branthwaite's age profile, speed, ability on the ball and aerial presence at 6ft 5in makes him an attractive prospect for elite clubs.
Everton director of football Kevin Thelwell admitted in a letter to fans over the weekend that 'players will be sold' in the transfer window, adding: "The reality is, given the regulations in place and the Club’s current financial position, we have to trade well.
"Working within such tight financial parameters makes the job extremely difficult. Whilst we want to ensure that the team is as competitive as possible, we cannot lose sight of our central objective to protect the long-term stability of the club."
Ratcliffe and co are on the lookout for a new centre-back after Raphael Varane confirmed on Tuesday that he'd be leaving Old Trafford after three seasons. United had the option to activate a one-year extension clause in Varane's contract but wanted him to significantly reduce his £350,000-a-week wages amid their ongoing Financial Fair Play concerns.
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Having missed out on qualifying for next season's Champions League, the Red Devils won't be able to spend freely this summer without further offloads. Captain Bruno Fernandes has even been tipped to leave amid interest from Bayern Munich, Inter Milan and clubs in the Saudi Pro League.
Manager Erik ten Hag acknowledged after Sunday's 1-0 defeat to Arsenal that no European football whatsoever would be 'damaging' for United, who've endured a extremely disappointing season. Ten Hag himself could be removed at the end of the season which could affect recruitment plans.
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