Tottenham Hotspur are likely to be busy in the summer transfer window as Ange Postecoglou looks to bolster his ranks.
Spurs will be aiming high in the market, hoping to bring in top players to help them kick on in pursuit of cup glory and a top-four finish next term.
However, Tottenham will likely be up against other big clubs for the best footballers, with the likes of Manchester United also looking to strengthen.
Now, according to Sky Sports, a player said to be wanted by Spurs is now the subject of an opening bid from the Red Devils.
The player in question is Jarrad Branthwaite, who CaughtOffside have linked with Tottenham, Man United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.
Sky Sports have now reported that the Red Devils have made an opening offer said to be worth around £45million for the Everton defender.
Other sources have ‘insisted it was significantly less’, and the Toffees are expected to reject the offer for the reported Spurs target.
While the report claims Everton haven’t put a valuation on Branthwaite, Fabrizio Romano claims they want £65-70millon for the 21-year-old.
Jarrad Branthwaite would be a solid signing for Tottenham
We’ve all seen what Branthwaite can do in the Premier League, and he’d no doubt be a great signing for Tottenham.
Branthwaite has been sensational for Everton, forging a strong understanding with James Tarkowski in the heart of the Blues defence.
“This guy is a superstar,” Jamie Carragher said on Monday Night Football earlier this year.
“For a centre-back to control that with his right foot, he is a two-footed player, the control with the right foot being a delicate touch with players around him and then to finish with the left just highlights again how strong Everton are from set pieces.”
Admittedly, central defence isn’t a big priority for Postecoglou’s side, so it remains to be seen whether they’ll weigh in with offers of their own.