Manchester United have made clear early on this summer that Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite is the club’s top summer target.
Last week Manchester United agreed personal terms with Jarrad Branthwaite, according to The Times.
A game of brinksmanship has been ongoing since. Manchester United have made a bid, which has been rejected.
Everton want as much as £70 million for the defender. Manchester United have no intention of paying that amount.
This is a pivotal moment for Manchester United, having been taken for a ride by selling clubs for too long. New investors Ineos will not want to continue this trend, alluded to by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, comparing the club’s poor spending to Real Madrid’s more successful incomings and outgoings.
Manchester United ready to switch away from Branthwaite if needed
Last week we laid out how the next few weeks of negotiations could play out. A lowball bid, with both sides sticking to their guns.
Now comes the stage where United threaten to walk away or switch to other targets. A resolution could well be found to suit all parties.
But as it stands, The Times reports that unless a compromise can be found, Manchester United will switch to other targets and walk away.
This is exactly what we predicted would happen – but where Ineos can break the cycle – is by actually walking away.
De Telegraaf reported in 2022 how Manchester United were reluctant to pay £70 million for Antony, viewing it as excessive.
Weeks later the Red Devils struck a deal with Ajax for even more, at £85 million. The winger has not lived up to this fee, and has come to symbolise the club’s over-spending and tunnel-vision fixation on particular names.
Value and squad depth important to Manchester United this summer
Making a decision to walk away from the Jarrad Branthwaite deal would be significant for Manchester United.
It is imperative the club is not held to ransom. Paying £70 million for the defender would not signify a fresh start for United, as talented as the defender is, even though the proposed wages are not excessive. This kind of fee would simply say, ‘new leaders, same old United’.
And the cycle would be set to repeat. Every other selling club this summer will continue to try and overcharge United.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos know that this summer is not a quick fix. He is on record saying it will take up to three summer windows to get the club back on track.
United’s priorities this summer are to address gaps in the squad, mainly at centre-back, striker, midfield and left-back. This doesn’t involve chasing big names or paying big fees.
Finding value in the market is important, and if this takes time, and means taking a few gambles on untested, younger players without Premier League experience, then it is what the club must do.
Without breaking the cycle of over-paying, United cannot move forward – and more to the point, financial limitations mean the funds are simply not there for any extravagant fees.
While we think there is a good change a cheaper resolution will be reached with Everton for the defender, without an agreement for Branthwaite, doing a U-turn and walking away from a deal would also represent a fresh start for the club.