Branthwaite AGREES deal as Man Utd close in on HUGE £70m transfer

Suraj Radia

• 13 Jun 2024 21:51 BST
• 3 min read

Manchester United have agreed personal terms with Jarrad Branthwaite and will now look to formally make a bid to sign the Everton youngster this summer.

Branthwaite has been United’s top transfer target in defence, with Everton under pressure to sell their star youngster due to their ongoing financial struggles.

The Toffees are believed to value Branthwaite at £70 million (€83m) and United will enter negotiations over a fee after agreeing a contract of around £150,000 to £160,000 with the 21-year-old, according to The Times.

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United have pushed forward with their transfer plans after confirming that Erik ten Hag would remain in charge next season, following an end-of-season review.

The club have been impressed by Branthwaite after the 6 foot 5 inch centre back was at the heart of Everton’s defence which conceded the fourth-least amount of goals last season.

However, a deal is not expected to be straightforward and could end up dragging well into the summer, according to the Daily Mail.

Branthwaite part of double United defensive swoop

United are said to be targeting two new centre backs after seeing Raphael Varane leave the club on a free transfer, with Harry Maguire’s long-term future still uncertain and Jonny Evans also out of contract.

Lille wonderkid Leny Yoro has been the subject of an approach from Liverpool and United, although both clubs are aware that Real Madrid are the favourites to sign the 18-year-old.

Jean-Clair Todibo and Matthijs de Ligt are also on United’s shortlist as right-footed options, with Branthwaite the ideal choice to compete with Lisandro Martinez at left-centre back.

READ MORE: Man Utd eye transfer for top Erik ten Hag target with sale of €50m outcast

United are also keen to sign a striker this summer as well as a midfielder, however the scale of their spending will likely depend on outgoings, such as the sales of Mason Greenwood and Casemiro.