Man Utd eye SHOCK transfer for Maguire replacement
Tom Hancock
- 1 Aug 2023 13:09 BST
- 3 min read
Everton starlet Jarrad Branthwaite has emerged as a surprise transfer target for Manchester United.
Erik ten Hag’s side could do with reducing the average age of their back line, and Branthwaite is one of two young defenders being linked with a move to Old Trafford – along with Nice’s Jean-Clair Todibo.
At 21 and 23 respectively, Branthwaite and Todibo are considerably younger than the likes of Raphael Varane and Harry Maguire – the latter of whom was the subject of a rejected £20m bid from West Ham last week.
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According to the Mirror, any deals for Branthwaite and Todibo would depend on Maguire leaving United before the end of the transfer window.
The England international – who is still the most expensive defender of all time – has endured a torrid last couple of seasons at Old Trafford – and was recently replaced by Bruno Fernandes as club captain.
West Ham are said to be readying a second offer for the 30-year-old, who has two years left to run on his contract.
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A bargain double deal?
Branthwaite impressed last season on loan at PSV, having joined Everton from Carlisle United as a 17-year-old.
He’s made 10 first-team appearances for the Toffees and was a member of the England squad which won this summer’s European Under-21 Championship.
Todibo, meanwhile, has established himself as one of Nice’s key men, missing just six Ligue 1 games across the last two campaigns.
A product of Toulouse’s academy, he returned to his native France to Nice in 2021 after an unsuccessful stint with Barcelona.
Based on their current respective Estimated Transfer Values (ETV) of €6.8m and €24.2m, Man Utd could potentially land Branthwaite and Todibo for a combined €30m (£25.7m).
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Harry Maguire
Jarrad Branthwaite
Jean-Clair Todibo
