Jeff Stelling is convinced a Premier League star is going to join Manchester United over Manchester City this summer.
Manchester United look set for a busy summer transfer window after the arrival of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS.
Erik ten Hag’s future remains up in the air after an underwhelming campaign to date. The Dutchman will have the opportunity to strengthen his case to be the man to lead United forward by winning the FA Cup.
Yet, despite the uncertainty in the dugout, the Red Devils are already lining up potential targets for the summer.
Centre-back has been a problem position for United this term, with Lisandro Martinez’s injury issues highlighting a lack of quality depth in that area of the pitch.
It’s led to the Manchester giants being linked with a summer swoop for Jarrad Branthwaite, who has also emerged as a target for Man City.
Stelling convinced Branthwaite will end up at United, not City
Speaking on talkSPORT, Jeff Stelling and Ally McCoist discussed Branthwaite’s future.
“Everton fans leave the room,” Stelling said.
“I have warned Jeff against this,” McCoist joked.
“It’s going to happen, Everton need the money and their biggest asset, their most sellable asset, is 21-year-old Jarrad Branthwaite,” Stelling went on. “I think he will find himself at Old Trafford.
“Never mind Man City, it’ll be Old Trafford I imagine because with the likes of Evans and Varane and Lindelof and Maguire, all ageing players, they need to bring in some youth and I’m thinking £45 million, something like that, would do the job.”
McCoist added: “I think he could play at any level, anywhere. He is heading completely in the right direction.”
Could Branthwaite solve United’s centre-back problem?
The Everton youngster has impressed in what is his debut season in the Premier League, racking up 25 appearances and scoring two goals.
At 21, Branthwaite has already been labelled a ‘superstar’ and is attracting admiring glances from Real Madrid.
He deservedly received a call-up to Gareth Southgate’s England squad this month and could be in line to make his debut against Belgium tomorrow.
But whether or not he’s the right man for United is up for debate. The Red Devils already have an exceptional left-footed centre-back in Martinez.
Branthwaite operates on the same side as the Argentine but he could provide cover and competition, something United have lacked this season.
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