Man Utd could complete £70m signing by Sunday

Carlo Garganese

• Updated: 26 Jun 2024 06:52 BST
• 3 min read

Manchester United could complete the signing of Jarrad Branthwaite by Sunday.

The Athletic reports that Everton need to meet their PSR (Profit and Sustainability Rules) requirements by the end of June in order to not be penalised by the Premier League.

According to PSR rules, Everton cannot lose more than £105m across a three-year period.

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Everton are struggling to raise enough money through sales before July comes along on Monday and so could be forced to finally accept Man Utd’s offer by the end of the week.

Branthwaite is United’s top summer target for the defence, and negotiations between the parties have been ongoing for several weeks now.

Everton are asking for a fee of around £70 million, which until now United have felt is too steep.

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The PSR deadline means that United are in a good position to get Everton’s asking price down.

United have already had a first bid of around £43m rejected by Everton, and will return for a second offer.

Man Utd are in the market for at least one top centre-back in the summer as a number of their current central defenders are leaving.

Raphael Varane will leave on a free transfer, while the futures of Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire are not secure, either.

Branthwaite at Everton

Branthwaite has emerged as one of the most promising young defenders in English football over the past year or so.

The 21-year-old joined Everton from Carlisle in 2020 and has enjoyed a meteoric rise since then.

He spent the 2022-23 season on loan at PSV and impressed massively as they won the KNVB Cup.

Branthwaite returned to Everton for the 2023-24 season and became a key player as the club avoided relegation despite a points penalty.

He made 41 appearances this past season and was named Everton Young Player of the Season.

Branthwaite made his England debut in June in the 3-0 win over Bosnia and narrowly missed out on a call-up to Euro 2024.