Manchester United are in the market for new signings this summer and fans will not be surprised to see that a new centre back is believed to be the top priority.
Beating Manchester City in the FA Cup final has given everybody a boost heading into a pivotal summer for Manchester United.
Ineos still haven’t made a decision on the future of Erik ten Hag as the United boss continues to wait for news on whether he is staying at Old Trafford.
Whether Ten Hag stays or goes, United will need new signings this summer and centre back must be a priority position.
Raphael Varane is on his way out of the club this summer whilst Jonny Evans has yet to sign a new deal.
Victor Lindelof’s long-term future is unclear and United have seen both Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez suffer injury problems.
Manchester United given Jarrad Branthwaite boost
United are expected to spend on at least one centre back this summer and the top target appears pretty clear.
Everton ace Jarrad Branthwaite is the man United want and recent speculation has actually been very encouraging.
Reports from over the weekend have claimed that United expect to close a deal for Branthwaite before the end of June.
Everton need to sell players before June 30th, desperate to bring in funds to help with the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules.
Branthwaite is driving bit interest and Everton want £75million – a fee United may not be too willing to pay, especially in the knowledge of Everton’s desperate situation.
Reports of United expecting a deal to be done were exciting enough, but further rumours suggest that Everton have already picked out a replacement.
The Sunday Mirror (09/06, p72) report that Everton view Burnley defender Maxime Esteve as a replacement for Branthwaite.
Esteve is a left-footed centre back just like Branthwaite and Everton are keen to pounce after Burnley’s relegation to the Championship.
West Ham United are interested too but Everton will hope to quickly strike a deal if Branthwaite is to leave Goodison Park.
Esteve joined Burnley on loan from Montpellier in January and has now turned the move permanent this summer.
The 22-year-old couldn’t stop Burnley from suffering relegation but may land an immediate Premier League return – and boost United in the process.
Branthwaite ready for next step
Branthwaite enjoyed a superb season with Everton and can certainly count himself unlucky to n0t be in the England squad for Euro 2024.
The giant defender has been axed in favour of Lewis Dunk, a decision many England fans are struggling to understand.
Branthwaite now seems ready to step up for both club and country.
Once Euro 2024 is out of the way, Branthwaite should be a key part of the England back line for a long, long time and he looks primed to really kickstart his international career next season.
The hope is that Branthwaite will be a United player next term, going from a relegation battle with Everton to pushing for Europe at Old Trafford.
That is a real step up in terms of expectation levels but Branthwaite took his game to another level under Sean Dyche and looks ready to take that next step.
Praised as a ‘terrific’ player by his former Carlisle United boss Steven Pressley, Branthwaite has a big year ahead of him and could be a star for both United and England come 2025.