Manchester United are working on finalising an early deal for Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite, according to reports. The Red Devils are looking to revamp their backline ahead of next season and the club have earmarked the English defender as their primary defensive target.
Jarrad Branthwaite started his senior club career at Carlisle United in 2019, after graduating from their youth academy. In January 2020, he signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with Everton. He was loaned to Blackburn Rovers in January 2021, and had a season-long loan stint at PSV Eindhoven during the 2022-23 campaign.
The 21-year-old’s successful loan spell with the Dutch champions last season urged the Toffees to sign a new four-year deal with him. The defender wasn’t a Premier League regular until this season, but his performances in the 2023-24 campaign has already attracted the attention of various English clubs including the Red Devils.
As reported by Football Insider, Manchester United are preparing to sign defender Jarrad Branthwaite this summer and are pushing to agree an early deal with Everton. The youngster has become a priority target for the Red Devils, so much so that the club are seeking to complete his move even before the transfer window opens.
The report claims that new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the United scouts have been highly impressed with the displays of the 21-year-old’s first full season in the Premier League. The club believe the English defender has the potential to become one of the very best and they don’t wanna miss out on any chance to bring the young talent to Old Trafford.
Manchester United have struggled defensively throughout this season due to injuries to key defenders as well as the poor performances of the available squad players. The INEOS chief is planning massive clearout and squad overhaul at the club this summer.
🚨🏴WANTED: Jarrad Branthwaite
🔴Manchester United hold talks with the centre back
Man City and Real Madrid are also interested
💰Market value is at $30M but Everton want at least $60M
📄Contract expires in 2027 pic.twitter.com/jV1fr1CXAW
— Transfer&Talk (@transfertalk07) May 12, 2024
The Red Devils have decided to allow Raphael Varane leave on a free transfer at the end of the season while Jonny Evans is out of contract too. The future of Harry Maguire is also uncertain, with West Ham looking to make a move. Bringing in a centre-back is of utmost priority for Manchester United this summer and the club are planning to put Jarrad Branthwaite at the heart of a defensive rebuild.
The youngster has a towering physique of 6ft 5in which makes him a colossal barrier to get past for the opposition attackers. He also possesses great pace and technically sound defensive skills. Moreover, the 21-year-old is among the leaders in tackles won, duels won and recoveries this season for Premier League centre-backs, as per FotMob.
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The Red Devils are pretty confident of securing the signature of the England international in the upcoming transfer window, especially due Everton’s finanacial troubles. The youngster is seen as the long-term solution to United’s backline woes and adding him to the team will help the club to reinvent their defensive lineup.
Meanwhile, Manchester United are also tracking other defenders in case they fail to sign the Everton youngster. Gleison Bremer of Juventus and Girona’s Miguel Gutierrez are also among the top targets for the Red Devils.
