Jarrad Branthwaite: Everton expected to reject opening Man Utd offer as transfer stance revealed

Everton are not expected to accept Manchester United’s opening offer for Jarrad Branthwaite.

The defender has been identified as a primary target for United in what is expected to be a busy summer window for the club. Now that Erik ten Hag’s future has been resolved, United are pushing on with transfer business.

Personal terms have already been agreed with Branthwaite, who played 35 Premier League games for Everton in 2023/24, and reports have emerged of an initial offer between £35m and £45m for the ex-Carlisle United man.

It’s almost certain the Toffees will knock that bid back and the Merseyside club value him closer to the fees paid for Harry Maguire, Wesley Fofana and Josko Gvardiol in recent years. All three cost in excess of £75m.

Everton’s stance at present is that they don’t intend to sell Branthwaite, although a significant offer would certainly test that resolve for a club who have endured high-profile financial woes in recent years. Everton’s high valuation is based on the view that Branthwaite is 21, left-footed, English and already established as a player of proven Premier League pedigree.

Despite that, United are unlikely to pay close to the £80m they parted with for Maguire in 2019. The likely compromise will be a figure somewhere in between for a player who just missed out on Gareth Southgate’s England squad this summer.

Meanwhile, United could be tempted to push for another centre-back this summer with interest in Jean-Clair Todibo and Marc Guehi. 

Raphael Varane has departed the club already this window, Jonny Evans could follow with his contract set to expire at the end of month, while Maguire and Victor Lindelof are two players the new Ineos regime are willing to part with. That leaves just Lisandro Martinez and Willy Kambwala from this year’s choice of centre-backs.