Manchester United continue to chase England defender Jarrad Branthwaite and Everton may have now found his replacement.
Erik ten Hag’s future has been settled and the focus for Manchester United will now be on the summer transfer window.
Ineos will be looking to make serious additions to the United squad but will need to be cover given the budget restrictions at Old Trafford.
A number of positions need some attention this summer but centre back is a real area of priority for United.
Lisandro Martinez and Harry Maguire have suffered injury problems in recent times whilst Raphael Varane is on his way out of the club this summer.
Jose Mourinho fancies taking Victor Lindelof to Fenerbahce too, so finding another centre back or two must be a priority for United this summer.
Everton identify Jarrad Branthwaite replacement
United’s top target at centre back appears to be Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite.
Young, English, tall, left-footed; Branthwaite ticks a number of boxes for United this summer.
Reports suggest that United have made a first bid for Branthwaite, offering close to £45million with all add-ons included.
That is nowhere near the £70million Everton want, so Ineos will need to dig deep if Branthwaite is going to join United this summer.
Everton may need to raise funds before June 30th though and with Branthwaite potentially on the move, they have eyed up a replacement.
The Mirror (23/06, p73) report that Everton are now ‘weighing up a move’ to sign Lyon defender Jake O’Brien this summer.
It’s suggested that Irishman O’Brien is being viewed as a ‘cut-price replacement’ for Branthwaite as a move to Old Trafford is ‘expected’.
O’Brien joined Lyon from Crystal Palace for just £1million last summer but Everton are now looking into a £15million deal.
Everton allegedly view O’Brien as a ‘like-for-like’ replacement for Branthwaite, given his enormous frame at 6ft 6in tall.
O’Brien isn’t left-footed like Branthwaite, but his physical abilities have seemingly caught the attention of Sean Dyche and the Toffees.
United need to make Branthwaite push this week
News of Everton planning for life without Branthwaite will be something of a boost for United, potentially indicating that a deal can be done.
This could be a crucial week for the Branthwaite deal with Everton up against the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules.
The Toffees were hit with a points deduction last season and will be keen to make sales in the coming days to help their cause.
Youngster Lewis Dobbin has moved to Aston Villa in a deal which will certainly help them; the money brought in will go down as pure profit thanks to him coming through the Everton ranks.
Striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin could be next to go with Newcastle United keen but a huge sale like Branthwaite could be enormous for the Toffees.
United will be well aware of that situation and making a new and improved offer for Branthwaite ahead of June 30th – when the accounts for the season end – is imperative.
This could be the week for United to really ramp up the move for Branthwaite and hopefully put a deal in place.