Manchester United are likely to be in the market for a new centre-back in the summer transfer window.
The Red Devils have had their fair share of injuries at the back, with numerous defenders missing out on game time this season.
In addition, Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans will be out of contract in the summer, while Victor Lindelof could go up for sale.
With all this in mind, it looks as though Manchester United could prioritise reinforcements at the back.
And according to Fabrizio Romano, the Red Devils are leading the race for one of the Premier League’s best young defenders.
Manchester United set sights on Everton star Jarrad Branthwaite
The Italian, speaking on the Here We Go Podcast, claimed Manchester United are the only club making serious inquiries about Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite.
Romano said: “I think it will be really important to see what happens at Everton between now and the end of the season to understand the final fee [for Branthwaite].
“But the only club at the moment really asking about how is the contract situation, what will be the price and all this stuff, has been Manchester United.”
Branthwaite would be an incredible signing for the Red Devils, akin to when they landed Rio Ferdinand back in 2002.
The 21-year-old has been a revelation for Everton since they signed him from Carlisle United as a 17-year-old back in 2020.
Branthwaite has clocked up 44 competitive appearances for the Toffees. And you have to bear in mind that he has spent 18 months on loan while on their books, at Blackburn Rovers and PSV Eindhoven.
What have Ruud van Nistelrooy and Ally McCoist said about Jarrad Branthwaite?
He was also called up to the England squad for their March friendlies, with Ally McCoist telling talkSPORT that he saw him as “captaincy material” for his nation (26/3/24, 6:12am).
Earlier this year, The Guardian described Branthwaite as a ‘speedy’ defender ‘with as much aggression as Martin Keown rushing to laugh in the face of a certain former Manchester United striker’.
And speaking of Ruud van Nistelrooy, he managed Branthwaite at PSV Eindhoven last season, and – as per The Guardian – deemed him a “complete” centre-back, such was his impact.
In terms of price tag, Football Transfers have reported that Everton value the player at £75million.
That’s obviously a big valuation, but considering how valuable top defenders are, it’s understandable.
When Man United signed Ferdinand 22 years ago, they paid a record fee for a defender to land him, and he was worth every penny.
The way Branthwaite’s career has gone so far, he could well follow in those same footsteps at Old Trafford.
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