Everton reject Manchester United bid for Jarrad Branthwaite

Branthwaite agreed personal terms with United, but Everton did not sanction the move. Photo: PA/Mike Egerton

Manchester United have made an Opening Offer of up to £43 million for Jarrad Branthwaite, which Everton are expected to reject outright.

Branthwaite, 21, has already agreed personal terms with United, who have identified the young England defender as their first-choice center. — half of what was planned this summer.

United have already made an initial formal bid for Everton, offering an advance of £35 million with a further £8 million to be paid in add-ons.

But Everton are believed to consider the offer ridiculous and believes Branthwaite is in the same price bracket as players such as Josko Guardiol, Harry Maguire and Wesley Fofana, who have moved for fees in excess of £75 million over the past five years. /p>

Everton face a battle to comply with the Premier League's rules on profit and sustainability and are unwilling to sell Branthwaite on the cheap, but sources at Old Trafford have said they have no intention of selling for £70m.

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It remains to be seen whether the two clubs can reach a compromise in negotiations as United seek a long-term replacement for the released Raphael Varane.

United will face their own financial challenges this summer and will have to spend wisely, with a net budget of around £50m plus whatever they can raise from sales.

A defensive midfielder and a striker are also being considered priorities along with the central player. ago, there appears to be little chance of United lavishing a fee similar to the one they did with Maguire in 2019, when they paid Leicester £80 million for the England defender.

New The United hierarchy, led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, is determined. ending an era in which the club was often criticized for overspending on players.

While Branthwaite is United's main target, they are also pursuing a deal for talented 18-year-old Lille centre-back Leni. Yoro is with Liverpool and PSG, despite the belief that the player could end up at Real Madrid.

Jean-Clair Todibo at Nice, Marc Guey at Crystal Palace and Trevo Chalobah from Chelsea are among United's other centres. half the goals if they fail with Branthwaite and Yoro's moves.