Sir Jim Ratcliffe is keen to bring young, English talent to Man Utd (Picture: PA)
Manchester United have revived their transfer interest in ‘overpriced’ Everton and England centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite, according to new reports.
It emerged last month that United had agreed personal terms with the 22-year-old defender but they have been unable to agree a price with the Toffees thus far.
Everton value Branthwaite at £75m but the Red Devils feel that is excessive and are unlikely to go any higher than £55m having already had two bids rejected.
United’s first offer to sign the Premier League star was worth around £43m plus add-ons and their second rejected bid went up to around £50m plus add-ons.
But Erik ten Hag’s side, who are considering Matthijs de Ligt as a different option, now have fresh hope of brining Branthwaite to Old Trafford, The Telegraph report.
That’s because Everton’s proposed takeover by the Friedkin Group has collapsed, which may put the Merseyside club back under significant financial pressure.
American billionaire Dan Friedkin pulled the plug on the buy-out amid concerns over the high levels of debt, with United very interested in those developments.
Jarrad Branthwaite was made a top target by Sir Jim Ratcliffe (Picture: Getty)
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has long been a fan of Branthwaite and United’s minority owner, in charge of football operations, made the Everton one of his top transfer targets.
Former United defender Mikael Silvestre, though, has urged his old club not to overpay for Branthwaite.
‘He’s overpriced right now,’ Silvestre said, referencing Everton’s original £75m price tag. ‘Very good player. One for the future who could definitely be an option for United but at that price, no way the club should do that.’
Everton star Ashley Young, meanwhile, feels Branthwaite has everything in his locker and can make the ‘step up’ should United get the deal done at a lower price.
Asked if a move to United would represent too big a step for Branthwaite at this stage of his career, ex-United winger Young said: ‘I wouldn’t say so, no. Not at all. I think he’s ready for the step up.
‘I know what kind of player he is, where he can get to. He’s definitely a player that can go and play in the Champions League and play in the big tournaments.’
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