Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is plotting a sensational swap deal for a £70m Everton player, according to reports.
It’s been an underwhelming season for United, one that has left them well adrift of the Champions League spots.
They currently reside in seventh place, two points adrift of sixth-placed Newcastle United, who admittedly have played a game more.
Europa League qualification is the best ten Hag’s men can hope for and that is expected to lessen the transfer budget this summer.
Though even with that said, they’ve been linked with a move for one of the best defenders in the Premier League this season.
Manchester United eye Jarrad Branthwaite
Manchester United are eying a move for Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite and intend to use Harry Maguire as part of a swap deal, as per the Daily Star.
Branthwaite is valued at £70m by The Toffees, though, that price tag could increase over the summer if competition for his signature is high.
The 21-year-old has enjoyed a phenomenal breakthrough season at Goodison Park and has been a fixture of Sean Dyche’s side, who have shipped the fourth fewest goals in the division.
His impressive form earned him an England call-up in March and he remains in the frame for the EUROs squad this summer, as they prepare to jet off to Germany.
United hope they can tempt The Toffees with Maguire part of the deal, as it’d take the pressure of finding a replacement, which could be difficult given their well-documented financial issues surrounding the proposed takeover.
How Jarrad Branthwaite would fit in at Manchester United
Branthwaite is a left-footed defender so he’d provide ten Hag‘s men with a different profile at the back.
The 2002-born would come in to support Lisandro Martinez, or, perhaps his arrival would spark a change of system.
Martinez could move out to left-back and play the inverted role, coming into midfield, whilst Branthwaite partners Raphael Varane at the heart of the defence.
Though, maybe club chiefs will feel they need two centre-backs in the window, particularly if Maguire is to depart.
There is uncertainty around Varane’s Old Trafford future, too, so there could be a total rejig at the back, with two or three additions.
A telling summer awaits ten Hag and the new ownership, INEOS.