There are shades, perhaps, of the deal which took Mason Mount from Chelsea to Manchester United during the summer of 2023.
Chelsea started off high, the Red Devils made an opening bid below their valuation, before both clubs met somewhere in the middle. The England international midfielder eventually made the journey from Stamford Bridge to Old Trafford after a fee of £55 million was agreed.
Manchester United always had the upper hand, of course. Mason Mount was entering the final 12 months of his contract, meaning Ten Hag and co knew Chelsea were under pressure to sell.
While Jarrad Branthwaite is under contract until 2027, it is Everton’s financial situation which leaves them vulnerable as Man United step up their interest in another homegrown, Premier League-proven talent.
The Toffees were docked six points for breaching Profit and Sustainability Rules last season. As such, selling Branthwaite would go a long way to easing those financial concerns. Hence why Man United are kicking things off with a lowball, testing the waters sort of bid.
Manchester United submit Jarrad Branthwaite bid
According to the Daily Mail, Everton want £70 million. Man United’s opening offer, lodged on Friday, was reportedly £45 million. There is, therefore, a £25 million gap between the fee United are putting forward and the fee Everton want.
Like with Mount, then, things are likely to be settled somewhere in the middle, with compromises needed on both sides before Branthwaite can be unveiled in a red shirt in the Old Trafford centre-circle, like another former Toffees whizzkid in Wayne Rooney 20 years ago this summer.
Man United, according to The Times, made a big step forward in their pursuit of their number one centre-back target on Thursday.
Personal terms have been agreed with Branthwaite’s camp already. And the former PSV Eindhoven loanee – who won the Dutch Cup under Ruud van Nistelrooy in the Netherlands – is expected to earn around £150,000-a-week at Old Trafford.
A substantial rise on his current Everton contract, but far less than United have shelled out in the past far far older players with far less longevity.
United’s number one centre-back target
“If that kid Branthwaite keeps putting his body on the line like this, I can’t keep telling my strikers (to do better),” Vincent Kompany, one of the finest centre-halves in Premier League, said of the 21-year-old followingEverton’s 1-0 win over his Burnley side at the start of April.
“Branthwaite is a young defender and sometimes it’s important to stay away from the hype a little bit, but he reads the moment to go and cover. It’s a side of the game that he has that is really promising for the future.”
Branthwaite also possesses many of the attributes United are looking for. He is two-footed, meaning he can play alongside Lisandro Martinez or instead of him. He is also physically imposing at 6ft 5ins but brings the technical quality required to thrive in a possession heavy side.