Man Utd eye SHOCK transfer for Maguire replacement

Tom Hancock
Tom Hancock
  • 1 Aug 2023 07:09 CDT
  • 3 min read
Harry Maguire, Erik ten Hag
© ProShots/FootballTransfers

Everton starlet Jarrad Branthwaite has emerged as a surprise transfer target for Manchester United.

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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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Jarrad Branthwaite made 36 appearances on loan at PSV from Everton last term
© ProShots - Jarrad Branthwaite made 36 appearances on loan at PSV from Everton last term

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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