As Manchester United and Everton remain poles apart in their valuation of Jarrad Branthwaite, the concern was that a lack of viable alternatives would leave the Red Devils a little vulnerable.
How could Erik ten Hag‘s side convince Everton to drop their asking price when The Toffees knew that the Cumbrian colossus was not just Manchester United‘s top centre-half target but the only serious option left?
Tosin Adarabioyo had already joined Chelsea. Leny Yoro appears set for Real Madrid. Jean-Clair Todibo is a no-go. Giorgio Scalvini has done his ACL.
And Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi would cost around the same fee Everton want for Jarrad Branthwaite.
What’s more, United never really appeared totally sold on the others. Either that, or they considered them too expensive. The Portuguese pair of Antonio Silva and Goncalo Inacio, for instance.
But amid all the hand-wringing from some sections of the United support, there is one name that might just have re-entered the discussions at a pretty ideal time.
Manchester United still in Aaron Anselmino race
Aaron Anselmino has been watched keenly by the Red Devils in recent months. He had, however, sort of disappeared from the frame.
That was until TYC Sport poured a fresh bucket of petrol on the fire, the Argentine publication reporting that Boca Juniors are ‘waiting’ for United to make a move.
Chelsea have already offered £14 million. Seriously, is there a player Chelsea are not trying to sign?
TYC believe that there is a very ‘concrete’ chance that Man United will submit a rival offer too, potentially in the coming days. A bid of £20 million would trigger the release clause in Anselmino’s contract, meaning the decision would come down to the player himself.
Despite still being 19 years of age and despite having only played 10 first-team games, Man United will likely be able to offer the teenager regular senior action.
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United need more than just Jarrad Branthwaite
Raphael Varane has already left. Victor Lindelof could go too, Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce opening talks last week.
And, in Ten Hag, Man United have a manager who has shown a willingness to hand central roles to hitherto unproven youngsters. Anselmino’s fellow 19-year-olds Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho both scored in that wonderful FA Cup final victory over Manchester City at Wembley.
TYC Sports add that Boca Juniors are in no mood to rush into a decision over Anselmino. Boca do already have a replacement centre-half in mind, however. One of South America’s great footballing institutions have already submitted a bid of £3.5 million to bring in Valentin Gomez, another 19-year-old, from CA Velez Sarsfield.
Anselmino, meanwhile, is affordable enough to mean can Man United succeed in bringing in another centre-half alongside Branthwaite. At least two will be required. Both are right footed but would have few problems playing together at the heart of Ten Hag’s backline.
Branthwaite’s versatility and two-footedness, after all, is one of his strengths. The Everton youngster spent last season on the left of Sean Dyche’s defence.
“He is good on the ball,” Branthwaite’s former PSV Eindhoven coach Ruud van Nistelrooy said, via Sky Sports. “(He) can play on the left or the right of centre-back because he is two-footed.”
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/AEVJaFH