While the list of players linked with a summer move to Manchester United is both long and varied, there are some that just about tick every box imaginable.
Proven in the Premier League? Most definitely. A man reportedly right at the top of the Red Devils wishlist was one of the standout players in his position in England’s top flight last term. Room for potential? Certainly, at the age of only 21.
Jarrad Branthwaite possesses that rare blend of physical and technical gifts too. At 6ft 5ins, he can dominate many a centre-forward. But, two footed and blessed with a fine range of passing, Branthwaite also fits in nicely into a possession-based side.
“Jarrad Branthwaite, you watch him this season, you think he’s good,” Ian Wright, the Arsenal legend, said on The Overlap’s Stick to Football podcast. “Pace? Oh, brilliant. Reading of the game? Fantastic. Attacking the ball? brilliant in both boxes. Passing out…”
There are reports, meanwhile, that Ineos want to build the foundations for Manchestre United’s rebuild upon a platform of young, homegrown talent. Carlise-born Branthwaite fits the bill in that department too.
In fact, the only real problem is the price.
Manchester United to make opening Jarrad Branthwaite offer
According to the Daily Mail, Everton have slapped a £70 million price-tag on the England international’s head.
That will not stop Man United in their tracks however, the report adding that the Red Devils are ‘set to table a bid’ as they look to make Branthwaite their first signing of what is likely to be a hectic summer of incomings and outgoings.
Everton are not exactly a side negotiating from a position of financial strength. It is no secret that The Toffees are in a rather precarious position; docked six points last season for breaching the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules. And, for all that £70 million, posturing they may be forced to consider much lower offers.
The Mail reported recently that United were hoping a deal could be done for closer to £55 million. Do not be surprised, then, if the eventual fee for Branthwaite ends up being somewhere in the middle.
“If that kid Branthwaite keeps putting his body on the line like this, I can’t keep telling my strikers (to do better),” Vincent Kompany, one of the finest centre-halves in Premier League, said of Branthwaite following Everton’s 1-0 win over his Burnley side at the start of April.
“Branthwaite is a young defender and sometimes it’s important to stay away from the hype a little bit, but he reads the moment to go and cover. It’s a side of the game that he has that is really promising for the future.”
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Branthwaite one of several options
Branthwaite, who spent the 2022/23 season on loan at PSV Eindhoven under Ruud van Nistelrooy, is reportedly United’s leading centre-half target. They are not short of alternatives, however.
The Mail throws Matthijs de Ligt‘s name into the frame, the Bayern Munich benchwarmer a key part of the Ajax team who came within touching distance of the Champions League final under Erik ten Hag in 2019.
There is also interest in, amongst others, Sporting Lisbon’s Goncalo Inacio, Benfica’s Antonio Silva, Lille’s Leny Yoro and Jean-Clair Todibo of OGC Nice. Given those Ineos connections, Todibo may be the most attainable of the quartet.
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/stREw49